RESIDENTS at Paxcroft Mead in Trowbridge have complained to Wiltshire Council about its wildflower trial at their local playing fields.

They are unhappy that Paxcroft Mead has been included within a wildflower trial taking place this year across Wiltshire.

Esther Allberry has launched a petition to stop the replacement of Paxcroft Mead playing fields which has already been signed by more than 180 people.

She said: "What this means is that all the current open playing fields are going to be turned into wildflower areas.

"Although we are not opposed to some areas being turned into wildflower areas and can see the benefits to the landscape, wildlife and environment, we feel very strongly that this is taking away areas that are much used by locals for playing ball games, picnics, walking dogs and exercising.

"We are asking that Wiltshire Council review this idea and consult the locals who use the area before going ahead with any plans of this nature."

Retired police inspector Adrian Pride has also complained to Wiltshire Council about the rewilding scheme.

He says locals and Paxcroft Brook Open Space Friends were not consulted by the council before it began using the area as a trial ecological project.

The 68-year-old, of Sussex Walk, said: “It is a popular area for people to walk dogs. With the grass so long it makes it difficult for the good dog owners to pick up after them.

“For the bad dog owners it makes it easy for them to leave the dog mess. The area is used by lots of families and must be a health hazard, particularly to the children who often roll and play on the grass.

“If there has been a change in grass-cutting policy the residents have not been consulted. As this is a residential are they should have been.”

Mr Pride suffered a stroke seven years ago and now has difficulty walking his 13-month-old golden labrador Lexi in the long grass because he can’t see where to place his right foot.

He says the Paxcroft Mead playing field is an area about 3/4 mile long stretching from Oxford Gardens to Ashton Road.

The open space is a mixture of hedgerows, corpses of trees, open grass areas and has the Paxcroft Brook running through it.

Mr Pride said: “Normally the grass areas have been mown quite short several times a year.

“The grass has been short enough for children to play ball games, families to have picnics, I have even seen people playing badminton opposite my house.

“During the period of lockdown this area was a godsend for local people. There are a lot of families that live in flats or have a very small garden.

“We have three-storey houses either side of us that restrict sunlight into our fairly small garden.

“The council stopped doing a full cut of the grass around May of this year, the contractors now just cut a narrow strip bordering the paths.

“The resulting long grass is not just unsightly in the eyes of the vast majority of people but makes it unusable for football, picnics and other family outdoor activities.

“In Sussex Walk the long grass is just a few feet from our front doors, as we have very small or no front gardens.

“For me the long grass means I now have to stick to the paths. In 2013 I had a stroke which amongst other things means I don’t sense the ground through my right foot.

“As the grass is so long it hides the bumps and holes in the ground. Whilst walking my dog in the area in front of my house I have fallen twice recently.

“Although sometimes a little unsteady on my feet this is the first time I have fallen since my stroke.”

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways, transport and waste, said they have received many requests to leave amenity grass areas uncut.

She added: "This will allow wildflowers to come through as one part of greening the environment to mitigate against climate change and to contribute to carbon reduction measures, as well as to increase habitats for bees, butterflies and other insects.

“Paxcroft Mead is one of several areas in which we are trialling wildflower areas this year. Unlike the other amenity areas where the grass is cut and left on site; the wildflower areas are subject to a ‘cut and collect’ approach so that the soil does not receive the nourishment that leaving the grass on uncollected would do; that way the wildflowers which flourish on nutrient-poor soils are given the best chance."

“We will need to repeat the trials over the next few years before it will be possible to see and assess the full benefits.

"We will keep communities updated on this project as much as possible and ensure people are aware of what’s happening in their area take into account feedback they may have.”

To sign the petition, go to http://chng.it/YJbKwvLpLL