Wildflower and pesticide plans put on hold

Plans to reduce pesticide use, leave some verges uncut and plant wildflowers across Newtown have been put on hold while councillors seek more information.

A proposed 35-point Biodiversity Action Plan was due to be adopted in July but will now return to the council in September.

The three-year plan includes asking Powys County Council to review or stop its use of pesticides and herbicides in the town.

It also proposes identifying sites for No Mow May and allowing some verges to grow longer where appropriate.

Wildflowers could be planted at Barnfields, Maesyrhandir, Vaynor Multi-Use Games Area, Robert Owen Gardens and the Memorial Gardens.

Bird boxes and bug hotels are proposed for several council-managed sites, while swallow nesting cups could be installed on toilet blocks.

Native perennial plants could replace existing planting in Severn Square, where the council’s outdoor team currently spends two hours watering every summer morning.

More sustainable hanging baskets, including designs that retain water, would also be explored.

Longer-term proposals include establishing an annual green week, investigating fish ladders at weirs and seeking recognition for Newtown as a bee-friendly town.

Cotoneaster on Crescent Roundabout could be removed because the draft plan identifies it as an invasive, non-native species. Low-growing native plants would be used in its place.

The plan also proposes asking the county council to use wildlife-friendly lighting when streetlights are replaced.

Several measures are already complete or underway through an existing biodiversity project. These include a native hedge in the Memorial Gardens and bat-supporting planters and boxes at St Mary’s.

Councillors deferred adoption at their July meeting to give members more time to examine the proposals and submit questions to council officers.

The plan is expected to return for a decision at the full council meeting in September.