Following a site meeting and household consultation with residents, councillors and Town Council officers, residents voted 12.4 to keep the 4 feet mown strip alongside Anson Way fences allowing them easier access. Other residents had made the case for a wilding area right up to the fences but it was agreed that an area of wilding away from the fences whilst retaining the strip was acceptable. Cllr Brian Smedley (Westover) said “32 properties were leafletted and we had 16 responses but these gave a clear indication of what the majority of residents wanted.At a site visit all ward councillors attended along with Director of Bridgwater Town Councils Amenities Department which has now taken over the responsibilities for parks and gardens. At the meeting Scott Mason confirmed that he would ensure a 4 weekly cut of the area and reassured some residents that he didn’t believe there was a fire risk. An option was considered to keep some areas wilded and others clear but it was felt more practical to treat the whole area the same.”

Positive Comments

Councillors, officers and residents had previously met in 2023 to discuss what cutting scheme should be agreed going forwarded but it was felt that opinions needed to be tested again to make sure Council was following residents wishes.

Comments from residents were on the whole positive. “We have been amazed by the transformation of the site” , “”We love the Brewery Field and love people using it as a green space”, “The trees on the Brewery Field are wonderful” . There was an appeal for the recently vandalised trees to be replaced, which councillors asked Scott Mason to look into. He was happy to do so.

Police issues

There were some concerns however. Although it wasn’t likely that the Brewery Field was going to ever be put back to it’s former state, with a playing field on it, as one resident requested, there were concerns about anti social behaviour and a lack of Police presence.

Cllr Smedley said “It’s very important that people report matters of  concern to the police system because without the area based statistics they will overlook certain areas at their priorities meetings each week. If there’s an upsurge of anti social behaviour then it must be reported and logged into their system.”

Wilding

Good news for environmental enthusiasts too as the vast majority of respondants recognised and supported the need for wilding. “This provides  not only a much needed habitat but encourages wild flowers to grow attracting a variety of insects  including our much needed bees and fellow pollinators”