Council to 'naturalise' city's green spaces

Parts of Bradford's parks and green spaces are being left to grow naturally to "attract wildlife and encourage biodiversity" over the spring period.

Bradford Council said naturalising specific areas of green space would allow wildflowers to grow and create habitats for pollinators.

Signs have appeared to indicate the sections being naturalised as "Nature Friendly Areas" which support bees, butterflies, birds, frogs and hedgehogs.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby said: "Whilst the vast majority of the 15.5m sq metres of grass the council cuts every year will continue to be maintained as usual, there are some specific areas which will be naturalised."

A spokesperson said the authority's green spaces were divided into various types according to the differing maintenance regimes they required.

They said the council cuts areas around cenotaphs and at ornamental areas within parks every week.

Ten cuts per year were also carried out on highway verges and at parks, open cemeteries and recreational grounds, with weekly cuts for community sports pitches.

Ferriby, the council's portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: "Loss of wildlife and biodiversity is a national problem, and we want to do our bit to halt or reverse this trend."

She said the council managed more than 80 parks, green spaces and woodlands across the district and where feasible, "defined Nature Friendly Areas" would be included "to benefit local wildlife and residents".

The council has not said yet which parks and green spaces would be included.

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