Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 27 October 2022

NEW WILDFLOWER MEADOW areas are to be created in three green spaces across Nuneaton and Bedworth in a new ‘trial scheme’ being launched by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC).

They are to be created after the borough council were presented with a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to enhance the biodiversity within their green spaces by creating areas of wildflower meadow.

Two sites in Bedworth have been selected for the project – these are Bayton Lakes and Bedworth Sloughs. Nuneaton will play home to the other, which will be located in The Dingle in Camp Hill.

Signage is being installed on all of the sites prior to the creation of the areas, to inform residents.

The project has been funded with cash from ‘biodiversity offsetting’ payments which were made to the Borough Council by developers.

The preparatory works will take place this Autumn, and the meadow areas will be created two ways:

Meadow creation – Fully removing the existing grasses and cultivating the ground before sowing the meadow seed mix. This will mean the soil will be visible this autumn and winter.

Overseeding – Seeding into the existing grassland with ‘Yellow Rattle’ plants found in traditional hay meadows for two years which will reduce the vigour of the existing grasses and then sowing the wildflower seed mix in the third year.

The meadow areas will be cut in the late Summer and Autumn, with the cuttings removed as that encourages the natural seeding of and regrowth of the meadow in the next year.

Coun. Julian Gutteridge, the Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health and Environment, said: “Wildflower meadows are now one of the rarest habitats in the United Kingdom and native insects and mammals will all benefit from these new meadow areas.

“We are delighted that this trial is taking place and hope it will enhance our environment for our residents for many years to come.’’