North Ayrshire Council says its new ‘relaxed’ approach to grass cutting will ‘provide huge benefits to wildlife in the long term’.
As part of a new biodiversity strategy, the council will let grass continue to grow at certain areas of ‘low footfall’, including parts of Irvine beach park.
The council say this approach will encourage the growth of native species of flowers, which in turn encourages insects and bees and birds.
The council say the move was also a popular option with communities who were asked for their thoughts on how some Streetscene ground maintenance budgets would be best spent.
The main areas of relaxed grass cutting are sections of Irvine Beach Park; Almswall Park, Kilwinning; Stevenston Shore, selected bankings and some difficult to access areas.
Councillor Jim Montgomerie said: “Our new approach to grass cutting forms a very small part of our new biodiversity plan.
“People are becoming more and more aware of how important it is to not only protect the environment, but provide ways that we can enhance it.
“The more relaxed approach to grass cutting is just one element of this. We hope it will let wild flowers grow in their natural environment and therefore let associated wildlife, particularly bees, flourish and thrive in their natural environment.
“Some of the areas we are letting grow are a vital haven for many bees, butterflies, birds, bats and bugs.
“This approach was widely supported during our engagement exercises with local communities as part of our Shaping North Ayrshire initiative.”
