Wildflower woes lead to petition in St Nics Park

Friends of St Nicholas Park have hit out at Warwick District Council after grassed areas of the park were killed ready for agreed wildflower meadows to be planted.

As well as insisting work is inappropriate and not what was agreed by the town council and park group in March, members want work stopped while the issue is debated.

Linda Bromley, chairman of the volunteer Friends group said: “We believe that the locations chosen are inappropriate for this type of planting.

“It is appalling and people are very upset. The Friends were not informed about this and it is highly contentious.

“We were under the impression flowers would be dispersed around the park but were horrified to see that these areas of yellow grass have appeared after being sprayed with weed killer.

“There are far more suitable locations for wildflower meadows within park such as in Myton Fields.”

New meadows are part of ongoing improvements to the park including footpath upgrades, picnic benches and landscaping. But a petition calling for work to stop has already collected 100 names.

And Warwick Town Council said after being consulted earlier this year, it was not expected that work would start without further consultation across the town.

Members said: “The wild flower meadow was agreed in principle but not at the outlined location and further discussions were to take place.”

But Warwick District Council (WDC) officers said the “priority project” was all planned with full consultation with the Friends and councillors.

A WDC spokesperson said: “The Friends of St. Nicholas Park have been fully consulted on proposals including the meadow areas, with meetings in March along with consultations with town and district councillors.

“The meadows will represent only a small area in comparison to remaining grassland.

“They will provide wild flowers for people and wildlife to enjoy, including pollinators which are in significant decline nationally.”

Sign the Friends’ petition online here