LANDSCAPING SERVICES WOUGHTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Following the end of the bird nesting season, we are now starting on the 'cutting back' across the parish. This starts on Beanhill, moving through Netherfield, Tinkers Bridge, Peartree Bridge, Eaglestone, Leadenhall, Coffee Hall and then the industiral estates.

WORKING TO IMPROVE THE GREEN SPACES OF WOUGHTON

Woughton Community Council is proud of being the first 'local' (parish, town or community) council to deliver landscaping services using an 'in house' team.

As one of the first local councils to take Landscaping services from MK Council, since 2014 we have improved response times, increased frequency of grass cutting and hedge trimming, improved the ecological impact of services and provided employment to local people to deliver this.

Using battery operated hand tools, investing in electric vehicles and, where 'fossil fuels' are absolutely necessary, using more environmentally responsible options, our team has reduced the impact of landscaping on the environment, reduced carbon emissions and helped work towards the 'greenest city' ambition.

There is always more to do, but we have led the way locally and will continue to work to improve and develop practices that promote biodiversity, ecology and environmental sustainability.

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WOUGHTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL LANDSCAPE TEAM

Ian Tegerdine (Manager)

James Appleby

Nick Preater

Vinny Houghton

Phil Pedder

Landscaping Scope

We currently service 7 residential and 2 industrial estates for grass cutting, hedge cutting, weed control and some tree work.

Service Plan

Whilst Woughton Community Council promises to carry out the landscaping maintenance to the very best of our ability. There will, of course, be some issues that we will be unable to deal with directly. Issues that may arise vary from unknown land ownership to the unpredictability of the weather. However, we will advise you on a case by case situation regarding these specifics.

Hedge cutting – These works are a two person job, and we are working our way around the parish where we can (without disturbing nesting birds), to cut back and help manage the fast growing plant stock that is planted.

Our schedule includes grass cutting and will be as follows;

Coffee Hall

Bleak Hall

Redmoor

Beanhill

Netherfield

Tinkers Bridge

Peartree Bridge

Eaglestone

Leadenhall

We will also be carrying out Weed Control (herbicide spraying) from early spring and through the summer.

BIRD NESTING, ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY

To protect wildlife, we are unable to cut hedges excessively due to bird nesting season which lasts from May to the end of August. We will trim hedges off footpaths and any sight line issues at road and footpath junctions.

We are also working to ensure that we meet our obligation under law to give 'due consideration' to biodiversity and the natural world. This means that there are some areas where we don't mow, to promote wildflowers (supporting bees and other pollinating insects), places where we don't use weedkillers (to promote healthier environments) and we have moved to battery operated hand tools to reduce use of fossil fuels. We will continue to look at how we can make our organisational even more environmentally responsible, protecting the parish for now and for the future.

URGENT INQUIRIES

For urgent inquiries please either telephone our office number on 01908 395681 or email landscape@woughtoncommunitycouncil.gov.uk and leave your name contact number and brief description of enquiry.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

When will grass be cut?

Between the end of March and the end of October it will be cut every 3 weeks dependant on weather conditions and grass growth.

Why aren't all grass areas cut?

Where grass remains long there are Daffodils and Crocuses planted within these areas and they will not be cut until the leaves die back (normally 6-8 weeks after flowering). This is good Landscape practice as it ensures plants will flower the following year.

Why use Herbicide?

This is the most cost effective way of weed control as the cost of the herbicide offset against the cost of manpower is quite substantial.

What about my privacy of Hedges outside property boundaries?

Hedges and shrubs are planted for their aesthetics not for security or privacy, however we will advise residents of any severe hedge cutting before commencement of works.

When are Hedges cut?

Hedges are normally cut on an annual basis once growth slows down i.e winter time, we are also restricted by law not to cut hedges in the bird nesting season (April-August) therefore any hedges suspected of housing nesting birds will not be cut during this period.

Who is responsible for trees?

We are contracted to crown lift trees so as to clear footpaths by 2 metres in height and highways by 5 metres. Any other tree works including felling and inspections are the responsibility of Milton Keynes Council. All trees within the boundaries of council owned properties are the responsibility of the tenant and cannot be done by our Landscape team.

CONTACT US

Enquiries on tree maintenance and inspection by Milton Keynes Council can be found here:

environmentalservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk

01908 252570

If you have any queries, questions or concerns regarding any areas of landscaping please do get in touch"

landscape@woughtoncommunitycouncil.gov.uk

01908 395681

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