Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Council to Introduce Native Wildflower Meadows

Following successful trials in Skelmersdale on Kiln Lane and the roundabout at the top of Egerton, West Lancashire Borough Councillors have approved plans for the potential creation of Meadow Areas across the Borough and are asking residents to share their views on the newly proposed open spaces on Council owned land.

In November 2020, the Council adopted a new 'Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2030' to assist in the delivery of the Council's aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest and the Meadow Areas will directly assist the council to implement Priority 7: Natural Environment, and objective: To Preserve, Maintain and Promote the use of Council owned Green Space across the Borough.

Through a 4-week public consultation, the Council hopes to approve the below list of shortlisted open spaces and identify other locations, which then may be considered as part of the Meadow Areas programme.

  • Tawd Valley, Skelmersdale – adjacent to Glenburn Road
  • Yewdale, Skelmersdale – near Amphitheatre
  • Glenburn Road, Stanley, Skelmersdale – heading to Houghtons Road
  • Pennylands, Skelmersdale – fields behind Woodrow
  • Kiln Lane, Pennylands, Skelmersdale
  • Spencers Lane, Digmoor, Skelmersdale
  • Delph Clough, Skelmersdale - adjacent to Tanhouse Road
  • Briars Lane, Burscough
  • Westerdale Drive, Banks
  • West End Field, Ormskirk
  • Hill Rise View, Aughton – adjacent to Northway

Roundabouts

  • Tanhouse, Skelmersdale – Elswick, Enstone and Egerton
  • Digmoor, Skelmersdale – Birleywood and Abbeywood
  • Birch Green, Skelmersdale – Stannanought Road, Birch Green Road and Fairhaven
  • Ashurst, Skelmersdale – Ashurst Road, Whalleys Road and Kestrel Park
  • Whalleys, Dalton – Beacon Lane and Oakhill Drive
  • Old Skelmersdale - Neverstitch Road and School Lane

Councillor Neil Furey Portfolio Holder for Street Scene said, "The introduction of Meadow Areas will benefit the residents of West Lancashire by creating a welcoming environment to residents, visitors and businesses as well as enhancing the open spaces and roundabouts within West Lancashire."

Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Green Growth Councillor Adam Yates added "Meadow Areas provide pollinators, such as bees and butterflies and other insects, with food shelter and places to breed. By managing areas of land as meadows, we can create wildlife corridors, allowing a diverse range of creatures to thrive across the borough, including more urbanised areas such as Skelmersdale".

You can give us your views by completing the online consultation on the "Your Voice... West Lancashire" engagement hub from Friday 24 November until 5 January 2024

Feedback from the consultation will help identify any potential issues relating to the shortlisted Meadow Areas and if the results demonstrate positive feedback from participants, we will develop plans to start the growing as soon as practically possible.

Any Meadow Areas which are accessed by members of the public will have a grass cut pathway created to allow for the continuous enjoyment and where roundabout sites are considered, these will only be where there will be no visual impact on motorists', cyclists', and pedestrians' visibility. Information signage will also be installed to showcase to the benefits of Meadow Areas in the environment.