Warwick wild flowers get go-ahead at final discussion

After months of debate and upset over the plans, it was agreed that the meadow will be smaller than planned in what was described as an “acceptable compromise”.

Debating the issue at Warwick District Council’s executive on Wednesday, Cllr Moira Ann Grainger (Con) said despite being “not happy” with the scheme from the start, she was pleased with how things progressed to come up with the reduced planting project.

She told members: “I would still like to see planting in Myton Fields as well but we welcome this compromise.”

Cllr Dave Shilton, portfolio holder behind the plans, said with a reduction in the area to be used for wildflowers now reduced, and assurances that it will include cuttings for walkways, they hope to have found the best outcome.

He said: “This will be for the benefit of Warwick’s biodiversity, it is something we need to think about for the good of people and our insects.

“I am sure this will be educational as well and we hope to see this fully up and running in a couple of years.”

The proposal to introduce wild flowers to the park was first introduced in 2008 as part of a district council bid for Heritage Lottery funding to improve the park.

But complaints came in from Friends of St Nicholas Park that the decision did not have public approval and was not suited to the public park.

A space was cleared to provide rough soil needed for wildflower growth, prompting a petition by the chair of volunteer group Linda Bromley. Presenting her petition in January, she said: “We are not against the idea of wildflowers but the placing of them at the right sites are crucial. This is not the right site and we have been ignored.”

Warwick’s Mayor Cllr Mandy Littlejohn echoed the feeling that the placing of wildflowers was key and that in the middle of the public park was simply “not the place”.