Relaxed mowing trials

We look after more than 900 acres of open spaces across Charnwood.

As part of our commitment to looking after the local environment, we are undertaking a trial to help increase biodiversity in 16 green spaces across the borough.

From May 2024, we will be doing a bit less mowing of grass in these specific locations:

Loughborough:

• Land off Bramcote Road
• Land off Allendale Road
• Land north of Maxwell Drive
• Land on Forest Road
• Land adjacent to Holt Drive and Woodbrook Way
• Epinal Way

Rothley:

• Garland
• Rothley Sports and Social Centre

Barrow upon Soar:

• Holbourne Close
• Branston Avenue
• Branston Avenue (North)
• Fishpool Way

Syston:

• Land off Wolsey Way

Sileby:

• Collingwood Drive
• Greedon Rise

Quorn:

• The Sandhills

This will attract more wildlife, such as bees and butterflies and other invertebrates, which in turn attracts birds and mammals to the areas.

The trial will last for three years and we will be monitoring biodiversity levels in these areas

Our partner idverde currently mow each open space around ten times a year. This will be reduced to twice a year in these 16 locations. These areas are not parks, playing fields or anything like that. They are pieces of open land in the Council’s ownership. The total area involved is around 21 acres, around 2% of the open spaces we manage.

You can find a map with the areas in which the trial is taking place here.

All the areas included in the trial are owned by the Council and were chosen following recommendations by an ecology consultant.

Information signs will be placed at the sites to make residents and visitors aware of the biodiversity project.

The Council will continue to mow around the trial areas to ensure that they do not become overgrown.

A decision will be made following the trial on whether it will be extended and expanded to further open spaces in Charnwood.

There is not expected to be a financial saving made by the pilot.

You can read the full report here.