Proposals for more green spaces in Fife to be left to grow wild

Fife Council is to consult with communities on proposals to manage some areas of green space differently.

With lockdown measures now easing, the local authority’s teams have been out catching up on grass cutting across the Kingdom.

However, in the last few weeks, there have been a growing number of requests from communities asking for grassland to be left to grow wild and revert to its natural state.

Now the council is set to look again at how it manages its open spaces, and they want to hear residents’ views.

Councillor Ross Vettraino, convener of the council’s environment and protective services committee, said: “Over the last few months, while we have been in lockdown, many areas of grassland have grown wild, attracting bees and insects to wild flowers and grasses, and creating areas of natural beauty.

"Rewilding in this way has many biodiversity benefits, supporting a variety of wildlife, cutting down on the use of herbicides and weedkillers, and helping in the fight we all face against climate change by reducing fuel use and air pollution.

"The council is keen to consult with communities on how it manages green space across Fife in the future with more emphasis on rewilding and leaving more areas to grow naturally."

Proposals are currently being developed for each of Fife's seven local areas, and communities will have the opportunity to comment before discussions take place at the council’s area committees and decisions are made.

Cllr Vettraino added: "I hope people will agree that this is a positive step forward, both in terms of how the council prioritises scarce resources, and the wider environmental benefits of creating areas of natural beauty across the Kingdom."

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