A row has broken out over an uncut grass verge in part of Tonna, which residents claim is "causing a lot of upset", attracting snakes and posing a potential fire risk, but which a housing association describes as a wildlife haven.
In an effort to encourage biodiversity, a 'No Mow May' policy was introduced by social housing group Tai Tarian, which prevented the cutting of grass verges in Pen y Bryn and other 'biodiversity locations' in Neath Port Talbot. However, months later residents claim there have been no signs of maintenance since May, and some residents have taken it upon themselves to mow the grass themselves.
Residents have been in touch with Tai Tarian and the council to complain about the "scruffy"-looking grass which they claim creates access issues for parked cars and has attracted adders. Some residents have complained they were never contacted by Tai Tarian or the council about plans to stop the maintenance of the verges.
Tai Tarian has since met with residents in Tonna to hear their concerns and told them the Welsh government was encouraging reduced cutting in response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. The organisation has said it will now cut back these 'biodiversity locations' as wildflowers 'should have shed their seeds' by now. You can get more Neath and Port Talbot news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Pen y Bryn resident Debra Edwards said: "I understand the biodiversity part of it. But where we live, there are no flowers in the grass. Luckily, no-one here at the moment is trying to sell their house because if they did, it would depreciate in value because it's looking so scruffy up here!"
Residents have also complained that due to the recent extreme heat, there are increasing concerns of the uncut verges causing grass fires like those seen in London last month.
Esther Harris, Tai Tarian’s Operations Manager for Property & Land Services responded by saying: “We are living in a climate and biodiversity emergency and as an organisation we want to do all we can to protect the planet. Welsh Government is encouraging all of us to let our grass grow, and reduced cutting on our land is allowing wildflowers to grow and bees, butterflies and other wildlife to thrive.
"In addition, the more we leave green areas grow, the more carbon is being absorbed back into the ground while less carbon is being used to maintain areas. We met with private residents at Pen y Wern last week to explain our approach and to listen to their concerns. We can confirm that we will begin cutting back all biodiversity locations as well as family friendly and health and safety areas in the next week.
"The timing is key as by now all wildflowers should have shed their seeds, so cuts will encourage new growth. This change to managing our land can look visually quite different to what has been done previously, but nature isn’t neat and our new approach to things will make a big difference to biodiversity in Neath Port Talbot.”
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