DOZENS of road verges and parks across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could be cut less often as part of a trial scheme aimed at improving biodiversity and reducing pollution.

Members of BCP Council’s cabinet will be asked to give their support to tests of new “grass management methods” when they meet on Wednesday (March 18).

Plans being considered could see verges and parks cut just once a year rather than six or seven times while new meadows could also be created.

Similar ideas have been used by Dorset County Council and subsequently Dorset Council for a number of years.

Ninety-nine sites have been identified for the proposed BCP Council trial, including Upton Country Park, Hamworthy Recreation Ground, Hoburne and Turbary Park Avenue.

Making more effective use of natural spaces was identified as one of the ways by which BCP Council could meet its target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

“Regular cutting of amenity grass areas, irrespective of location and the amount of use they receive, is a traditional practice largely undertaken to maintain an accepted appearance,” the cabinet report says.

“In parks and open spaces this has resulted in many hectares of ‘green desert’ – expanses of closely mown grass that are rarely used for the types of recreational activities where short grass is essential.

“They can also lack diversity with regards to visual appearance and the species that they support.”

“In recent years, an increased awareness of environmental issues has already resulted in a change to some traditional practices.

“One of these is to identify areas, generally within amenity grass and highway verge, and manage them as grass meadows.”

The report says this could increase biodiversity, reduce pollution and save the council money.

A list of 99 sites that could be included in a five-year trial has been drawn up with the aim of giving “greater understanding” to the most effective management methods.

These range from small residential roads to some of the largest public parks within the conurbation.

Alongside being asked to give the green light for trials, cabinet members will also be asked to approve the creation of a new long-term management policy and to endorse measures that “have the potential to increase biodiversity and carbon capture” when they meet on Wednesday.