BROMSGROVE residents have given their overwhelming backing to a project turning part of a town park into a natural meadow.

In July, the Advertiser reported on the Watt Close entrance to Sanders Park, Kidderminster Road, being cultivated to turn the area partly into a natural meadow, to establish a more diverse part of the park.

As well as mowing the edges of existing footpaths in the area, wide pathways are being mown in a helix design through the new meadow section.

Between these mown areas, grass and flowers have been allowed to grow.

After the trial period began Bromsgrove District Council asked townsfolk for feedback. The authority is now reporting that the scheme has received a resounding endorsement from respondents including residents, business people and district councillors.

Emeritus professor of plant conservation and genetics from Birmingham University’s school of biosciences, Brian Ford-Lloyd, even contacted the council’s leisure team to express his support.

He said the park’s contribution to the increasing national effort on wild meadows is valuable for the conservation of not only plants but bees.

John Godwin, the council’s head of leisure services, said: “We asked for this feedback and have been bowled over by the level of support for the idea.

“We’ll now give this idea some time to bed in at the park and see how it goes.

“Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond.”