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Summer Pollinator Scheme

In 2021, six sites across the Borough were left to grow to help support local wildlife and pollinators. No grass mowing or herbicide were carried out at the sites between June and September with bee and butterfly signage also installed.

We carried out a survey of public opinion among residents, councillors and stakeholders, receiving 398 responses, of which 66% fully supported the scheme and a further 30% supported the scheme provided the sites are well managed and can still be used by the public. 92% of respondents said the council should be encouraging insects like bees and butterflies.

In our survey You said, so we did:

  • Leave more areas uncut: we have increased the number of sites which are uncut from 6 to 38, we will continue to review this and will look to leave more areas in the future
  • Introduce wildflower seeds: we have provided 1500 wildflower seed packs to the public in 2022 and will pilot the introduction of seeds on summer pollinator sites.
  • Keep the sites managed and not untidy: we are cutting the edges of the summer pollinator sites so that they are not untidy and are monitoring them to deal with litter and injurious weeds.

Advice on what you can do to support summer pollinators, is available from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust website and on the Wild About Gardens website, please also see Grow Your Own - Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Following on from the success of the scheme over the last four years and complimenting the national ‘No Mow’ in May campaign, we have identified 36 sites across the Borough that will grow from May to September in 2025, covering over three hectares, mainly on land we already own and maintain or areas selected by local residents or Town or Parish Councils.

Our Streetwise team are now not mowing selected areas across Rushcliffe to help create natural corridors to support and enhance local wildlife. 

This sustainable management of the open spaces helps to not only mitigate the impact of climate change but supports the Council’s Carbon Clever initiative and its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The areas in the Borough which will be uncut in the summer 2025 are as follows:

West Bridgford

  • Abbey Circus
  • Land north and south of Buckfast Way, Abbey Park,
  • Adbolton Lane Playground, Lady Bay
  • Alford Road, Edwalton
  • Beaulieu Gardens, Compton Acres
  • Blanford Gardens, Compton Acres
  • Bridgfield Meadow, West Bridgford
  • Broadstone Balancing Pond, Compton Acres
  • Compton Acres
  • Cranford Gardens, Compton Acres
  • Deepdale Close to Easedale Close, Gamston
  • Dorset Gardens, Compton Acres
  • Green line extension, Edwalton
  • Gresham Playing Field – tram side
  • Greythorn Drive Park, Compton Acres
  • Greystones Close, Gamston
  • Junction of Valley Road and Melton Road
  • Junction of Wilford Lane and Compton Acres / Heathervale Green
  • Killerton Park Drive, Compton Acres
  • Knights Close, Compton Acres
  • Lyme Park Open Space (three sites), Compton Acres
  • Melton Gardens, Edwalton
  • Miss Machin’s Field, Edwalton
  • Rannerdale Close to Mellbreak Close, Gamston
  • Rugby Road and Rushcliffe Arena entrance, Compton Acres
  • Stamford Road, West Bridgford
  • The Hook play area, Lady Bay
  • Tram Line, Wilford Lane to Acorn Bank
  • West of Greystones Close, Gamston

Villages – either requested by Town and Parish Councils or residents

  • Bingham - Mill Hill - larger open spaces close to the A52
  • East Leake - Beech Avenue and Willow Close
  • East Leake - Gotham Road
  • East Leake – Manor Farm Meadow
  • Keyworth, Hawthorn Close
  • Kinoulton - Newbold Way
  • Whatton - Green Walk

To find out what wild flowers may be growing at our sites, charity Plantwise have created a list that contains 26 of the most common wildflowers on lawns.

Carbon Neutral 2030