VALE of Clwyd MP, James Davies, has thanked Denbighshire County Council for cutting two areas of overgrown grass in residential areas in Rhuddlan and Rhyl, and for reassessing how they are managed year-round in future.

But he has calling on the local authority to “re-think” its wildflower meadow approach more generally, going forward.

Residents in both Nant Close, Rhuddlan, and Fern Way, Rhyl, were up in arms about the overgrown “wildflower meadows” close to their homes.

In July, Dr Davies attended a site meeting in Rhuddlan to hear concerns and he has since had ongoing dialogue with council officers regarding locations in residential areas across the constituency.  

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He was pleased when council officers acted on the residents' concerns at Nant Close and Fern Way, and cut the grass at both sites as planned, but proposed changes year-round for the future.

Dr Davies would like the council to take a different approach going forward, focusing on a smaller number of larger sites.

He said: “Denbighshire County Council’s ‘wildflower meadows’ project has been an increasing source of frustration in a number of areas in the county.

“Whilst I am very keen to support efforts to improve biodiversity, there needs to be a common-sense approach, with buy-in from local people. Currently, we are not always seeing this in Denbighshire.

“In Fern Way in Rhyl, residents were unhappy about the perceived lack of communication from the council, and the deprivation of usable green space. The land had been a designated play area for 35 years.

“Meanwhile, in Nant Close in Rhuddlan, much to residents' dismay, Denbighshire County Council stopped cutting an area of grass in front of their homes after 55 years of doing so.

“In early July, along with Rhuddlan councillor Ann Davies, I met residents to listen to their concerns. At that point, much of the grass was 1.5 metres in height and was obscuring trees and ornamental roses.

“Residents were angry that they had not been consulted on this designation and had previously organised a petition, which was rejected by the council.

“Having maintained the area for more than half a century, the council then threatened to withdraw oversight of the area in the long term.

“I am pleased the council has reconsidered its position regarding this site, with the area having now been cut and returned to a tidy green space. I hope it will remain this way.

“I really hope this common sense approach can be adopted in other areas too.”

Rhyl Journal: James Davies MP at the Nant Close wildflower meadow in RhuddlanJames Davies MP at the Nant Close wildflower meadow in Rhuddlan (Image: Submitted)

In Fern Way, the grass has also been cut. 

Rhyl Tynewydd ward county councillor, Brian Jones, who pushed officers for the work to be done, said: “I am extremely pleased that this area has now been cut and an agreement made with the residents for only part of the site to be used for a wildflower meadow going forward.

“It was looking extremely messy before and residents were upset that they were no longer able to use the site.”

Fern Way is one of eight county wildflower meadows chosen for the council’s yellow rattle seeding programme to control grass length.

Dr Davies added: “This is good news for the residents of these areas, but there is no mention of the long-term plan for other areas such as Splash Point, Plas Uchaf Avenue, and The Avenue Woodland Park, where there are ongoing battles.

“I am pleased that Denbighshire County Council have finally seen sense when it comes to Nant Close and Fern Way, and appear to have finally taken on board what the residents have been saying from the start.

“However, in relation to the ‘wildflower meadow’ project in general, I believe they still need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

“There is no value in engaging in a dispute with residents for no appreciable gain.”

In response, a council spokesperson said: “Our wildflower meadows project is vitally important in ensuring the survival of these habitats that have massively decreased over the years.

“Bringing back these wildflower meadow areas is an important step in helping to reverse the decline and increase local species richness and the council has committed to capitalising on using its grassland areas for this purpose, where appropriate.

“Important work and management of a number of sites is currently ongoing following the changing of seasons from summer to autumn.

“Sites will have received their second cut and collect to help reduce grass growth and encourage more wildflowers to grow, but they do need to be given time to establish.

“Our biodiversity team do value communication and community input for the project and do make every effort to talk to communities and schools located near meadows to help them understand the benefits not only for nature but for residents as well.

“We are also indebted to the fantastic support we have had from those who have volunteered to help create the meadows, grow our plants at our tree nursery and genuinely the supportive comments we have received, especially at our recent Wildflower Week.”