Plans to expand controversial wildflower displays in York have been approved.
The plans, which are set to see the planting of wildflowers by Station Rise and Foss Islands Road replicated elsewhere along the historic structure, were approved on Tuesday, January 27.
Cllr Jenny Kent, City of York Council’s Labour environment spokesperson, said it was an opportunity to spread the burst of joy which first bloomed by the walls last year.
Council ancient monuments lead Liam Dennis said the conditions at Station Rise which allowed the creation of the display there meant it would not be the blueprint for other locations.
It follows the pilot of the Walls in Bloom displays last year as part of changes to the way the embankments are managed.
Grass on the embankments is currently cut once a year on the outside and twice on the inside.
That approach has environmental and cost benefits but it could be perceived by some as a sign of neglect, according to a council report on the proposals.
Tuesday’s decision is set to see officials look at other sites to plant native wildflowers, with Lord Mayor’s Walk, Nunnery Lane and Station Avenue named as possible locations.
Plans specific to each area would be drawn up before any planting goes ahead and it would be subject to the council getting external funding to cover the costs.
Mr Dennis told Tuesday’s decision session the expansion of planting would help improve biodiversity, reduce the burden on public realm teams and improve residents and visitors’ experiences.
He added dry weather last spring and summer showed climate change would be a challenge while more help would be required from volunteers and expectations would have to be managed.
The council faced a backlash ahead of the creation of the Station Rise display in 2024, with calls to restore the condition of the walls amid claims they were neglected.
Mr Dennis said the result had been a wholesale change at Station Rise, a key vista of York.
The official said: “This will be a change, we were able to do this at Station Rise because of the archaeology and ecology of that site, that isn’t going to be the blueprint for what we do elsewhere.
“We’re making this decision in the context of Historic England advice for managing sites which seeks to be more affordable.”
Labour Environment Executive Member Cllr Kent said the project had been well-received so far and it showed people wanted to take action to keep the city sustainable.
Cllr Kent said: “The walls are already known for their daffodils, this is an opportunity to spread that burst of joy.
“Over the last year we’ve had blooms of all different colours, we want to spread that across the 9ha of green corridor that hugs the city for us and for the species that need our support.”
