BRADFORD Council has admitted there are still “improvements to be made” to its annual push to boost wildlife in the district.

Every year, the authority takes part in No Mow May – a national campaign that calls for landowners to refrain from mowing grass for the month.

It is an attempt to encourage wildflower growth and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies into urban areas.

But at a recent meeting of Bradford Council, two councillors raised concerns about the way the scheme is currently handled in the district.

Councillor Marcus Dearden said the council’s “one size fits all” approach was causing problems in areas that are regularly used by children to play.

And Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said she had received complaints of plants growing across pavements.

Council bosses admitted there had been issues this year, and that a wet May had meant growth was much more pronounced than in other years.

In a question and answer session at the meeting, Cllr Dearden said: “Rewilding and No Mow May help biodiversity across the district but a 'one size fits all' approach can cause problems in some areas, such as grass verges or parks used by children for playing.

“Can the portfolio holder for healthy people and places outline the council’s approach to managing green spaces and how we can ensure individual areas are managed to better reflect how they're used by the public? Can local councillors input into this process as we're well placed to facilitate discussions with our constituents and know our communities well?”.

Cllr Sunderland supported the scheme, but said: “It has led to some complaints, particularly when the first cut is made and the cuttings litter the pavements or where the plants grow across the pavement causing difficulties.

“Can the portfolio holder ensure that ward members are contacted, and agreements made about where verges and other areas can be left to flourish?”.

A response from the council said: “No Mow May is a popular initiative which has many benefits for biodiversity and creating a sustainable district.

“We’ve developed the initiative further this year but we recognise that improvements still need to be made.

“We agree that a 'one size fits all' approach doesn’t work and we are creating a strategic plan in consultation with area committees for locations for No Mow May next year and which involve less clean-up activity, allowing more time focusing on mowing other areas."