BCP Council will undertake a “full review” of its grass cutting scheme this autumn, taking into account “exceptional growing conditions” and resident feedback.

The Let it Grow trial was introduced in June to establish "grass meadows" in open spaces, on roundabouts and roadside verges to help increase biodiversity.

However, as previously reported in the Echo, numerous residents have complained about overgrown grass conditions in community green areas, playgrounds and cemeteries. In August, BCP Council leader Drew Mellor said that the scheme would be partially backtracked following “significant feedback”.

Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment, said: “BCP Council have been undertaking a trial of alternative grass maintenance methods, including a reduction in the number of cuts per year to improve conditions for wildlife and help tackle climate change.

“There are many factors that influence how these trial areas are managed. Weather conditions and available resources have been the main influencing factors in the decision to cut some of the trial areas from the beginning of August onwards.

“The exceptional growing conditions we have experienced this year have resulted in much denser growth than would normally be expected during the summer months and it is taking us longer to complete our cutting rounds. There is also much more grass left on the surface after mowing.

“Starting to mow some areas now should mean that they will be cut again before late autumn, helping to break down the excess of grass left on the surface and preventing any beneficial plants becoming smothered. Unfortunately, we currently do not have the capacity to cut and remove all clippings from long grass areas.

“A full review of the trial and all grass cutting will be undertaken this autumn and will take account of the feedback and learning from this year’s challenging growing conditions."

Hamworthy resident Viv Double previously told the Daily Echo that the controversial scheme had “ruined” a community green near his home in Symes Road.

More than a month later, Mr Double has criticised attempts to cut the area. He said: “The mower has been and an attempt has been made to cut the grass, however the playground looks worse than it did before.

Bournemouth Echo: The grass between Hewitt Road and Symes Road in Hamworthy before and after the trial The grass between Hewitt Road and Symes Road in Hamworthy before and after the trial

“There are still long tufts of grass remaining and the cut grass has been left lying on top.

“The mower operator admitted that the mower he was given to cut the grass is not up to the job as the grass was too long. It needs a gang mower towed by a tractor, but this is unlikely to be put to use.

He added: “The piece of playground originally mown was not re-mown on this occasion, so that part is becoming difficult for children to play on.

“People are getting fed up with the contempt that the BCP Council is treating its ratepayers.”

While some have criticised the biodiversity scheme, others believe it is necessary.

The Echo previously spoke with Megan Lock, biodiversity advisor at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, who said: “Cutting verges and other grassy areas less frequently, where it is safe to do so, has the potential to help reverse Britain’s wildlife declines.

“Reduced cutting or more appropriate cutting regimes could increase biodiversity, reduce management costs, provide ecological connectivity and ecosystem services such as pollination, which are beneficial to us all.”