Heartbreak as Vibrant Wildflower Haven in South Belfast Ruined

Heartbreak as Vibrant Wildflower Haven in South Belfast Ruined

A patch of wildflowers that was locally maintained alongside a busy road in South Belfast has been mowed down and destroyed, upsetting many in the community. The wildflowers were based on a grass verge off the Saintfield Road, close to Forestside Shopping Centre, and had been maintained by local resident Ryan Bradley as a way of boosting biodiversity in the area while also brightening up the community. He had placed a sign on the verge asking for it not to be cut and for the past couple of years it has not been, allowing wildflowers to flourish. However, on Wednesday, May 21, the patch of wildflowers was mowed down, destroying them as they were just beginning to flourish.

The move has caused upset among many local residents who believed that it added to the community and made the area look nicer, while also helping the area's wildlife. Speaking to Ryan Bradley, who has maintained the wildflower patch, said that he was disappointed that it had been mowed down and felt that the move went against a lot of what local councils and DfI have been trying to do in public spaces in recent years to boost biodiversity...