One Year On: Progress on our Biodiversity Action Plan

The infographic below shares highlights from the first year of our Biodiversity Action Plan. From habitat restoration and tree planting to working alongside local groups and residents, these early steps are part of our long-term commitment to protect and enhance biodiversity across the district. 

This is just the beginning. In the years ahead, we’ll continue working with partners and local communities to help make more space for nature across the district.

Traditional hedgelaying

In winter 2024/25, work was undertaken to sections of hedgerow in parks and open spaces across the district to help preserve them. Sites included Newbold Comyn and Radford Road in Leamington Spa and Kettlewell Close, Makepeace Avenue and Blackbades Boulevard in Warwick. 

Hedge laying is an age-old countryside skill that has been practiced for centuries. This technique provides a vital role in preserving hedgerows which offer numerous benefits for nature by providing important refuges, food sources, and wildlife corridors. 

The process of hedge laying involves partially cutting through and bending the stems of native hedging plants or small trees near ground level - without breaking them - to encourage new growth from the base. 

 

Enhancement and creation of water habitats

The following work was undertaken in February and March 2025 to protect and enhance water habitats in parks and open spaces and provide biodiversity benefits:

• Castle Farm, Kenilworth - Fencing installed around one of the ponds at Castle Farm to help prevent the spread of invasive weeds and better protect the habitats of Great Crested Newts and other species at this important Local Wildlife Site. 
• Kenilworth Common, Kenilworth - Restoration work to the pond that had silted up over time to make it deeper and wider and have the edge reinstated.  
• Parliament Piece, Kenilworth - Installation of a new scrape in an existing wet area. Improvement works to the smaller pond on site including the removal of self set trees, opening up one side, deepening and widening the pond, creating habitat piles (hibernaculum), creating butterfly banks and installing fencing around the pond to protect this important water habitat.
• Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa - Installation of two new scrapes and butterfly banks to the area south east of the football pitches. 
• Pottertons Field, Warwick - Installation of an additional scrape on the floodplain. 
• St Nicholas Park, Warwick - Installation of two new scrapes close to the small woodland area at the edge of the river. This is an existing wet area and the scrapes will help to drain water off pathways and hold water in the system. 
• Tapping Way open space, Warwick - Increasing the size of two existing scrapes on site and installing butterfly banks.

Scrapes, ponds and other water features provide important benefits for local wildlife by offering habitats and resources for a range of plants and animals. Ponds are usually deeper and more permanent, while scrapes are shallow areas that may only hold water for part of the year, creating temporary wetland habitats.

Both ponds and scrapes are especially beneficial for species like amphibians, birds, and insects, providing places for them to breed, feed, and shelter.

They also encourage the growth of water-loving plants, such as reeds and sedges, which attract pollinators and other wildlife. Scrapes help reduce flooding and improve water quality by soaking up and filtering rainwater runoff. Overall, these water habitats play an important role in creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for both people and wildlife.

Spring bulb planting 

In autumn 2024, over 162,000 spring bulbs were planted across council-owned parks and open spaces in the district including daffodils, crocuses, wild garlic and snowdrops. Planting sites included Castle Farm, Eagle Recreation Ground, Myton Green, St. Fremund's Way and Tapping Way. 

These bulbs will bloom in early spring providing essential food and nectar sources for bees, wasps and other insects as they emerge from hibernation. With the ongoing decline of certain insect species, particularly bees, and a growing trend of species emerging earlier from hibernation due to warmer temperatures, these early blooms are a vital resource for their survival. 

Grassland meadow creation

Over the last 20 years we have been working to increase the amount of meadow areas in our parks, open spaces and cemeteries in recognition of the many benefits they provide for people and nature. Meadows are flower-rich grasslands which are left to grow long. They're great for insects such as bees and butterflies and add colour to our parks throughout the seasons.

You can view our interactive meadow map to see where these areas are located. We currently manage approximately 37.3 hectares of meadow in our parks and open spaces - that's equivalent to 52 standard-sized football pitches or 1433 tennis courts! 

In 2024/25 alone, we created 4.25 heactares of new permanent meadow areas - the same size as 164 tennis courts!

Meadows require a particular management regime to ensure they thrive. They are left to grow over spring and summer and then cut from later summer into early autumn once the plants have flowered and set seed. The cuttings are raked into rows and allowed to dry for several days before being baled. This allows any seeds and insects to drop to the ground before baling.

The bales are removed from site and mostly sent for composting, with some being passed on for re-use. Where funding allows, we will overseed meadow areas in Autumn or Spring to further increase the floral diversity. 

Tree and hedge planting

During 2024/25, the council supported the planting of over 15,000 trees and 130 linear metres of new hedgerow across the district. Planting trees and hedgerows not only helps to combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, but also supports wildlife by providing food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds, insects, and mammals.

Native trees and hedgerow species were planted in parks and open spaces, selected community sites, and on agricultural land. The focus was on enhancing biodiversity, creating wildlife corridors, and supporting pollinators and other key species. In many locations, planting was carried out in partnership with local volunteers, community groups and farmers, helping to strengthen the connection between people and nature.

A significant portion of the planting was delivered through our Free Trees for Farmers scheme, which received requests for nearly 11,500 trees. The council has worked closely with the Heart of England Forest and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust over the past three years to deliver this initiative, which helps boost biodiversity and support climate action.

By planting trees and hedgerows on farmland, the scheme improves habitat connectivity across the landscape, creating essential corridors for wildlife. Farmers could choose from a range of tree packs including hedgerow, fruit tree and woodland options, allowing them to select the most suitable mix for their land. The scheme will return in 2025/26 in partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Ongoing work (2025 onwards)

Biodiversity improvements at Newbold Comyn 

Newbold Comyn in Leamington Spa is a much-loved green space close to the town centre, featuring a leisure centre, the former golf course and the Leam Valley Local Nature Reserve. We are delivering biodiversity improvements on the site as part of our commitment to enhance the site for wildlife following the installation of the cycle trails.

From 28th April, we will begin works to overseed some of the grassland areas within the old golf fairways to increase their habitat value. The area of grassland being enhanced is equivalent to two and a half full-sized football pitches. A specially selected seed mix of native wildflowers and meadow grasses, including common knapweed, oxeye daisy, meadow buttercup and yellow rattle, will be sown to encourage a rich and diverse meadow habitat.

These plants are vital for supporting pollinating insects, invertebrates and birds. Once the meadow is established, it will be managed with an annual meadow cut. However, during the first year, it may need more frequent cutting and the grass cuttings will be left on site to create habitat piles. 

This work builds on recent planting projects at Newbold Comyn, which have included over 500 native trees, new meadow areas, and shrub planting near the 'learn to ride' area and the future cycle hub, behind the Newbold Comyn Arms pub.

Wildflower Verge Trial

We're trialling a new way of managing some roadside verges — by mowing less often and sowing wildflowers — to help support local wildlife.

Many verges are currently mown up to 10 times a year, which removes wildflowers before they can bloom and support pollinators like bees and butterflies. By reducing mowing and introducing native wildflowers, we hope to create healthier habitats, improve biodiversity, and connect green spaces across the district.

The Wildflower Verge Trial is taking place at selected sites in Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and Warwick, where the grass will be cut once in late summer, and wildflower seed added where needed. A short-mown strip will be maintained along the roadside to ensure visibility and safety, in line with advice from Warwickshire County Council.

This is a long-term approach — results may take time, and not all areas will look like a picture-perfect wildflower meadow straight away. But even long grasses and less colourful plants can offer vital support to pollinators and other wildlife.

We’ll be monitoring the trial closely, and if successful, it could be expanded in future.

Want to get involved?

Local residents are invited to help with biodiversity surveys and seeding. Please get in touch with Olivia Williams at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust if you want to get involved - olivia.williams@wkwt.org.uk