Nature or nurture debate over uncut grass verges in Havering

Georgia Marie, who lives in Rush Green, accused Havering Council on Friday (June 2) of doing an incomplete job in maintaining the grass on her estate.

“The whole estate is in neglect,” she said. “Us tenants have to pay a service charge in our council tax every month for the upkeep of communal areas.

“No upkeep is kept, yet we still have to pay the charges.”

But Havering Green Streets, an environmental group, pointed out the council is trialling urban meadows in large grass verges across the borough.

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The group said there is a difference between conservation areas left all year long, 'No Mow May' areas which are few, and grass verges not being mown because of how wet it was at the start of spring.

Wildflowers of different colours in one of Havering's conservation areas. (Image: Havering Green Streets)

“We should all be proud that Havering is encouraging these areas and that we have so much of the community involved with us too,” the group said.

The UK has lost almost half its biodiversity since the 1970s alone, the group claimed, adding that spaces such as these are essential to the urban environment.

Havering Council said grass cutting was behind schedule due to the wet weather and fears heavy equipment, such as lawnmowers, would damage the soil beneath the grass.

Overground grass: A local nuisance or a boost for bio-diversity? (Image: Georgia Marie)

Some residents were unconvinced. “It’s a disgrace all over the borough,” said Jenny Miller on a Harold Hill Facebook group.

“Looks very unkempt,” she added.

But other commentors on the same thread were more upbeat.

"My kids are loving the long grass," said Sammie Austin. "They've seen so many butterflies, bees and other bugs."

The council said its crews continue to cut grass across the borough, including Rush Green estate.