ILE Biodiversity Update
Renfrewshire Council · 22 January 2025
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 22 January 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 22 January 2025 Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Heading: Biodiversity Update 1. Summary 1.1 The Council has 33 areas within it’s Open Space Estate that have been converted to biodiversity sites over the last few years. To ensure these sites deliver maximum environmental and community value, Neighbourhood Services undertook a thorough review of each site. 1.2 The proactive assessment of biodiversity sites focused on identifying opportunities to enhance biodiversity management, improve aesthetics and strengthen biodiversity contributions in line with the Biodiversity Action Plan. This report outlines the outcomes of the review and details the planned enhancements for the forthcoming year. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the outcomes from the biodiversity review and the planned enhancement works across the biodiversity sites. 3. Biodiversity Review 3.1 On completion of the Biodiversity review, the following key observations were identified: 3.1.1 Panelled Borders: The review has identified an opportunity to further enhance biodiversity site presentation and aesthetics by adapting the current maintenance strategy to establish well-defined panel boarders. This will include short mown grass along the edges of biodiversity sites.
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3.1.2 Plant Composition and Visual Appeal: Across our biodiversity sites it has been identified that grass mixes have become a more prominent feature than wildflowers. While grasses support biodiversity goals, adjusting the planting balance to include more flowering plants could achieve the dual objectives of enhancing biodiversity and creating visually appealing spaces. 3.1.3 Public Preference for Non-Native Species: There was a strong public preference noted for non-native flower species due to their vibrant colours, although native plants are better aligned with Scotland’s biodiversity objectives. Exploring ways to incorporate a broader range of native species with enhanced aesthetic appeal could address this preference while supporting ecological goals. 3.1.4 Site Specific Challenges: Several site-specific challenges were identified: • Salt Exposure: Plant survival was notably lower in areas exposed to excessive de-icing salt. Introducing salt-tolerant plant species could mitigate this issue. • Biodiversity Connectivity: Some planting locations lacked sufficient connectivity to act as effective biodiversity corridors. Biodiversity corridors are physical connections that link up areas of habitat allowing wildlife to move between them. Further development and integration of corridors across sites would align with the Biodiversity Action Plan. • Space Constraints: Narrow central reservations presented challenges for maintenance. Limited space restricted the establishment of perimeter borders while preserving habitat-rich grassland. 3.1.5 Road Safety Considerations: In some areas, large plant mixes close to junctions posed potential road safety concerns by reducing visibility for members of the public. Careful redesign of planting schemes near junctions will improve safety while maintaining biodiversity benefits. 3.2 The overall findings of the review identified opportunities for enhancement of all existing biodiversity sites through a broader planting scheme, adapted site maintenance and alignment with ecological priorities. Addressing these key observations will enhance site aesthetics, site safety and ensure long-term sustainability. 4. Next Steps 4.1 The outcomes from the review underpin the management approach for 2025 and future seasons biodiversity management. 4.1.1 Maintenance: The review has identified an opportunity to adapt the maintenance of existing biodiversity panels. Moving forward, all panels will feature a perimeter "picture frame" border, mown around the grass edge every four weeks. This will clearly distinguish biodiversity sites, making them instantly recognisable while ensuring they remain neat and presentable. This approach will be implemented across all identified biodiversity panels. 4.1.2 New Cutting Trial: The Service will trial a new "sway cutting" programme in Knockhill Park. This involves cutting a deliberate shape into the biodiversity area and managing this shape to maintain its integrity. This method reinforces a structured and intentional approach to biodiversity management. 4.1.3 Signage (Recognising Biodiversity Sites): To improve public awareness and education, the Service will increase signage at biodiversity sites. These signs will promote biodiversity by providing information about the species of grasses and flowers present. 4.1.4 Trial of New Species: The Service proposes innovative trials at Linwood Road and Paisley St. James areas, focusing on diverse planting strategies:
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• Linwood Road: The four roundabouts on Linwood Road will undergo new works starting end of January. Grass will be removed, and colourful borders, trees, and hedges will be planted to create a layered biodiversity landscape. The central reservation strip will receive additional maintenance, and the Linclive Roundabout will feature a 2-meter mown border with enhanced central planting. This approach ensures the established meadow grassland is retained while enhancing the existing biodiversity. • Paisley St. James: The biodiversity grass meadow strip will be retained but enhanced with a hybrid approach. This will involve adding colour through feature panels and maintaining a deliberate perimeter edge cut. Small sections of colourful planting will surround the meadow, improving the aesthetic appeal while preserving the biodiversity habitat. • Plug Plants: Plug plants will be trialled at select locations as an immediate solution to introduce vibrant native species and enhance the visual impact of biodiversity areas. The planting of such items adds instant colour to biodiversity areas. 4.2 Widening the Scope of Biodiversity 4.2.1 To date, efforts to enhance biodiversity have largely focused on wildflower planting and meadow grasslands. To further advance this initiative, the service plans to adopt a more holistic approach by incorporating a diverse mix of shrubs, trees, and flowers. This hybrid strategy will not only guide the immediate development of future biodiversity sites but also enhance existing ones. By diversifying planting schemes, the service aims to create more resilient and ecologically rich environments that better support biodiversity and visual appeal. 4.2.2 Expanding the current biodiversity management approach will help inform the creation of larger, more diverse biodiversity areas. This includes identifying new opportunities in open spaces, parks, and other locations such as roundabouts, where hybrid planting strategies can be implemented. By incorporating a range of plant species—trees, bushes, flowers, and grasses—the service can foster interconnected and sustainable biodiversity networks across varied urban and natural settings. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Any financial elements referenced in this report will be progressed through the Council’s financial & budget planning process. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – None 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology – None
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7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – Careful redesign of planting schemes near junctions will improve safety while maintaining biodiversity benefits. 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – None 13. Climate Change – Conserving and restoring natural biodiversity spaces is essential for limiting emissions and adapting to climate impacts. 14. Children’s Rights – None List of Background Papers: None Author: Gavin Hutton, Head of Operations and Service Development Email: Gavin.Hutton@renfrewshire.gov.uk