Rhyl residents plead for 'mess' wildflower meadow to be maintained

The meadow, by Garford Road near Splash Point, is part of a wider Denbighshire County Council project aiming to restore and increase the number of habitats available for pollinators and wildlife across the county.

But those living on Garford Road have told of how, until the grass was cut last week, the meadow had looked “like an abandoned waste ground”.

They have now called for the council to make sure that it remains in a more presentable fashion in the future.

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Geraldine Cyster said: “As a resident of Garford Road, I really don’t think that is anybody’s idea of a grassy meadow. 

“I know that at least four dogs have had to go to the vets to have grass seed removed from their bodies. The only flowers there are thistle and dandelions.

“It’s just an eyesore that we have to look at daily. It looked (prior to the grass being cut) like an abandoned waste ground.”

Garford Road wildflower meadow prior to its cutting (Image: Submitted)

Steve and Diana Morris said there is a sense of “general dismay” among neighbours about the wildflower meadow.

They added that a meeting was held in July between residents, which was also attended by Cllr Justine Evans (Rhyl East ward) and Gareth Davies, Vale of Clwyd MS.

Mr and Mrs Morris said: “It is not dog-friendly, and has aggravated breathing difficulties and allergies in residents and visitors. The tufted seeds have embedded in the toes, ears and skin of dogs.

“Rhyl is committed to gentrification and regeneration, but the council will not commit funds to managing a communal space.

“It does not support a community that has appealed for general maintenance of an important area adjacent to the promenade.

“We have had support from Justine and Gareth, but their voices are not being heard.”

A third resident, who asked to be left anonymous, said they were pleased that the council had taken action to tidy the meadow.

Garford Road wildflower meadow prior to its cutting (Image: Submitted)

But, the resident added, they fear a “battle” to keep it in this way, rather than the “overgrown wilderness” it resembled previously.

The resident added: “One dog owner had a £800 vet bill to remove grass seeds from her dog’s ears after being in this.

“I believe this is the worst meadow in Denbighshire, and DCC ignore any argument put forward.

“It’s become a good place for antisocial behaviour, as well, because the lower path is hidden from the promenade, so people can’t be seen there.

“We’d just like it to stay maintained, and look more like the meadow on East Parade. Our quality of life, bit by bit, has been eroded.

“The grass has now been cut and all the rubbish removed, and looks so much better now, but the battle now will be to keep it like this.

“I reckon that it took 11 manual labour days, two vans and numerous journeys by tractor with a large hopper to complete this job.

“I don’t see how this is environmentally friendly when it would take so much fewer resources to keep this in check.

“Why are DCC not engaging with the community? It would be so more constructive.”

Garford Road wildflower meadow prior to its cutting (Image: Submitted)

Cllr Evans, who said roughly 20 residents attended the aforementioned July meeting with her and Mr Davies, voiced her support for their demands.

She said: “It was sad to see this once attractive green space, which used to be regularly used by locals and visitors, an overgrown, unsightly mess.

“Since our visit, the long grass has had its end of season cut.

“However, I think Denbighshire officers should meet with residents, as they did in Fern Way in Rhyl, to allow them to voice their concerns and to inform them how they intend to manage and develop the ‘wildflower meadow’ going forward.” 

The wildflower meadow at Garford Road is one of more than 100 managed sites across Denbighshire.

Cllr Barry Mellor, also of the Rhyl East ward and lead member for environment and transport, added: “This wildflower meadow has been in situ now for two years and I have not had one complaint.

“In fact, some residents like it, as it has stopped dogs making a mess on the grass when cut. This meadow will take around three years to establish itself.

“When Balfour Beattie finished the East Rhyl Sea Defences they put really good top soil on, and this is not what a wild meadow thrives on. We have to take the nutrients out of the soil for the wild meadow to thrive.

“We will be cutting more regularly next year to take the nutrients out of the soil; then, I am sure the residents will see the benefit.”

James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, said: “Splash Point was looking particularly messy before it recently received its end-of-season cut.

“This is a prominent spot on Rhyl promenade, and the council should be ensuring it looks in good shape both for the residents of the town and for visitors.”

In response, DCC said that the wildflower meadow growing season is at an end for this year, and so many of the wildflowers have now finished flowering.

Many were also affected by the early hot summer this year, DCC added.

A council spokesperson said: “The sites are now in the process of being cut by the Streetscene team, so it has been requested that any further site visits are postponed until next season.

“The project is due to be reviewed in preparation for next year, with the view to look at helping these wildflower sites establish more quickly, suppress the coarse grasses and increase the wildflowers and colour at these sites.

“The council will be happy to discuss the site with residents once the project has been reviewed and this has been communicated with ward members to feedback.”