Posted on: Wednesday 15 October 2025
wildlife
Over the next two years, 58 hectares (127 sites) will be added to the council’s environmentally-friendly and sustainable grassland management programme.
Currently 31.6 hectares (51 sites) across Torfaen are cut just once every year to increase biodiversity and help mitigate the impacts of climate change, including selected areas parks, verges and other green spaces.
Cabinet members approved the decision this week following a public consultation in July, in which 64 per cent of people said they supported the proposals.
Members emphasised the importance of community involvement in ensuring the success of our approach to managing grassland for biodiversity, so there will be ongoing communication with residents as this programme continues.
Pathways through large green spaces, play areas and verges next to roads and junctions are cut more often to ensure public access and safety.
Introducing a further 58 hectares into the scheme is not expected to increase operational costs and will support the borough’s efforts to tackle the climate emergency.
Feedback from the consultation included some comments around areas looking untidy because they had not been cut. While it's true nature isn't always neat, it's certainly rich in life though.
Recent research has shown that insect populations have included 22 species of butterfly, 29 species of moth, 29 species of bees and wasps, 35 species of beetles and bugs, and 10 species of dragonflies and damselflies.
Cllr Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “Since 2020, we have adopted an annual cut and collect method across grassland at selected sites in order to enhance biodiversity and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
"This approach not only supports our Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan, but also helps us meet our legal obligations for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
“Last week, we received positive results from a series of ecological surveys, which showed improvements in plant diversity at 92% of the 31 sites surveyed.
“Torfaen is leading the way in Wales in managing grassland for biodiversity. We are now looking to build on our success by working with communities to introduce additional sites on a phased basis.”
For more information about grassland management in Torfaen visit www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/Climate-Change/NatureAndConservation/Nature-Networks/Nature-Networks.aspx