BRADFORD Council has admitted there are still “improvements to be made” to its annual push to boost wildlife in the district. 

Every year, the authority takes part in No Mow May – a national campaign that calls for landowners to refrain from mowing grass in the month of May.

It is an attempt to encourage wildflower growth and encourage pollinators like bees and butterflies into urban areas.

But at a recent meeting of Bradford Council, two councillors raised concerns about the way the scheme is currently handled in the district.

Councillor Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley) said the Council’s “one size fits all” approach was causing problems in areas that are regularly used by children to play.

And Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said she had received complaints of plants growing across pavements.

Council bosses admitted there had been issues this year, and that a wet May had meant growth was much more pronounced than other years.

In a question and answer session at last week’s meeting, Cllr Dearden said: “Rewilding and No Mow May help biodiversity across the district but a one-sized fits all approach can cause problems in some areas, such as grass verges or parks used by children for playing.

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places outline the Council’s approach to managing green spaces and how we can ensure individual areas are managed to better reflect how they are used by the public? Can local councillors input into this process as we are well placed to facilitate discussions with our constituents and know our communities well?”

Cllr Sunderland supported the scheme, but said it: “Has also led to complaints, particularly when the first cut is made, and the cuttings litter the pavements or where the plants grow across the pavement causing difficulties.

“Can the Portfolio Holder ensure that Ward Members are contacted, and agreements made about where the verges and other areas can be left to flourish?”

A response from the Council said: “No Mow May is a popular initiative which has many benefits for biodiversity and creating a sustainable district.

“We’ve developed the initiative further this year but we recognise that improvements still need to be made.

“We agree that a one size fits all approach doesn’t work across the district and we are creating a strategic plan in consultation with Area Committees for locations for No Mow May next year and which involve less clean up activity, allowing more time focusing on mowing other areas.

“As we have seen this year, the knock-on effect of No Mow May can be substantial depending on how quick the areas grow and then specialist equipment can be needed to tackle the additional growth.”