BCP Council is to reduce the frequency of grass cutting across the region.

A change in approach to grass management is being trialled across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to reduce the council’s carbon footprint and increase biodiversity.

In response to the council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency, in March 2020 Cabinet agreed to trial a range of procedural and operational changes to the way grass areas are managed across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. These changes also include the establishment of more grass meadow areas and starting grass cutting rounds later in the year.

Cllr Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste, BCP Council said: “This new approach to grass management has the potential to reduce our carbon footprint, increase carbon capture and increase biodiversity. Going forward we will be actively implementing this trial to ensure we develop policies and procedures that take into account the need to protect and enhance our environment.

“The trial is part of our Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign which aims to bring back a sense of pride to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Other green initiatives that fall under this campaign include our pledge to plant over 10,000 trees in 2021.”

Monitoring of the meadows is planned for the coming months, with the aim of involving volunteers in wildlife and plant surveys.