Parts of Dundee’s oldest park will be left uncut under plans to create “biodiversity zones” to boost city wildlife.
The city’s 400-year-old Magdalen Green is the first in a number of locations in line for deliberately overgrown areas as the council moves to create better habitats for insects, birds and other wildlife.
Victoria Park, Riverside Drive, Western Cemetery and the verges along Hawkhill are thought to be among the areas also being considered.
The West End Community Council has launched a public consultation on the plans with five areas in the north and east of Magdalen Green identified as areas which could be left uncut.
A council spokesman said the local authority had received a number of requests both to resume grass cutting and to significantly reduce mowing and herbicide usage.
He said the authority was committed to reducing grass cutting and using weed killer as part of its biodiversity plan.
“The current consultation at Magdalen Green is the first of many locations that have been identified for further development of biodiversity zones within our parks in the coming months,” he said.
“It is important that the views of the wider community at each location are fully considered.”
A West End Community Council spokeswoman said: “During these past weeks of lockdown we have seen grass-cutting services reduced in our green spaces.
“This has led to grasses and flowers which are usually cut back being able to grow – increasing the biodiversity of plants, insects and birds in these areas.”
The Friends of Magdalen Green group has responded to the consultation, choosing the option where the smallest area of the park is turned into a biodiversity zone.
A spokeswoman said the group supports biodiversity and chose the suggested the area as it largely unused and no daffodils grow there.
“We are keen to hear what our members think, and would encourage them to complete the survey,” she said.
Council grounds maintenance staff went back to work on June 1, prioritising sensitive areas such as graveyards and sheltered housing.
Teams are now said to be ramping up activity, turning attention towards major parks and gardens in the coming days.
West end councillor Fraser Macpherson, Liberal Democrats, said he had discussed increasing biodiversity with the West End Community Council during its last digital meeting.
He said: “More people expressed concern about the state of the parks, but a number of constituents have also raised the question of biodiversity.
“Community groups are keen to get people’s views on this. They want to know if there’s public support for this approach.”
