‘Rewilding is another name for mess’ – your views on Walsall Council’s controversial grass cutting strategy

Walsall Council’s controversial grass cutting strategy has come under fierce criticism. In 2024 green areas across the borough equivalent to 50 football pitches were cut only once, saving the council £50,000.

The authority has proposed to introduce even more rewilding across the borough in order to balance the books for its 2025/26 budget. There were 99 responses to this controversial proposal from members of the public.

While a handful appreciated the environmental benefits of the strategy, many more responses criticised it, stating the area looked messy leading to a lack of pride. There were worries about safety, particularly around road signs and traffic islands, the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and that the scheme had prevented children accessing open green spaces.

Here are the responses in full.

“I’m all for rewilding. However, letting the weeds and rubbish accumulate in gutters/roads is very unsightly. Keep it tidy and clean looking.”

“The borough of Walsall looks unkempt, dirty, and uncared for. I have lived here for most of my 68 years and the town and surrounding areas are a disgrace. People should be encouraged to care about where they live and this should be led by the council.”

“For parks and greenspaces, the rewilding initiative has been very effective to increase the biodiversity in these areas. By not cutting the verges, it has also encouraged insects and other wildlife which is desperately needed for birds, etc.”

“Rewilding is another name for a mess. Many people are complaining that the grass is not cut – cutting the grass keeps areas tidy and there is more evidence that in well-kept areas anti-social behaviour is less because people have pride in their area.”

“Increases in biodiversity bring nature back into our urban areas.”

“Rewilding makes Walsall look tired.”

“Cut the grass and collect it. Stop making it look a mess.”

“Please focus on rewilding areas in solely SAFE places.”

“It will help to reduce our carbon footprint from Walsall Council and the borough as well as improve habitats for wildlife, enable species pollination and lead to the regeneration of nature.”

“Increase in litter and mess will become an issue in overgrown areas, impacting nature. Therefore, saving should not be in place, but increase litter picking and removal. PRIDE is part of the council, demonstrate it!”

“Over the summer the children of Park Hall have lost the right to use their local parks due to the re-wilding scheme. I have complained to the council along with many others over the summer as to why our parks (Newquay Park and Treyamon Park) have been chosen for re-wilding as it clearly states PARKS should not be considered for re-wilding!”

“All local amenity spaces, including two children’s parks were left uncut this year-the first time in 54 years. Children had nowhere to play and residents were appalled with the look of the area. Walsall Council managed to drag Park Hall down to the level of abandoned green spaces riddled with weeds and ragwort. This was not ‘re-wilding’ it was just not cutting.”

As well as the general public, all 60 elected members were asked about the rewilding strategy, only 18 of them responded. The latest updates on the controversial strategy will be presented at the next economy and environment scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, January 14.