Salisbury City Council has voted to scrap hanging baskets in the city as part of a wider ‘sustainable planting regime’, kicking off a row with Conservative councillors.
The council has proposed introducing ‘living pillars’ and ‘parklets’ to replace the popular floral arrangements.
In a video posted on Twitter, Chancellor Wills slammed the decision by the left-wing council, saying that it is ‘incredibly unfortunate for a city with medieval roots.’
The move from the council, which is a parish-level body, comes after a review in 2019 in which it committed to making the city as carbon neutral as possible by 2030 in light of a ‘climate change emergency’.
At a meeting yesterday evening, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors deliberated over keeping the display or replacing them with ‘greener’ alternatives, choosing the latter.
The council has proposed introducing ‘living pillars’ and ‘parklets’ to replace the popular hanging basket arrangements (pictured)
In a video posted on Twitter, Chancellor Wills (left) slammed the decision by the left-wing council, saying that it is ‘incredibly unfortunate for a city with medieval roots’
The hanging baskets (pictured) are a popular feature in the historical city
Cllr Willis called the move ‘ideological nonsense as per from this left wing cabal’.
The city’s budget for maintaining the city’s much-loved displays is £30,000, which includes the costs of watering.
Marc Read, the Environmental Services Manager, told the Salisbury Journal: that ‘parklets and living towers are better for biodiversity and potentially, offer more space and are pleasing to the eye but I am aware that there is a lot of public affection for the traditional displays.
He added: ‘It is time for a more forward-facing approach that is more sympathetic to the environmental challenges the country is facing and that embraces change and considers alternative approaches.’
Cllr Eleanor Wills added: ‘Leave the hanging baskets alone, keep the traditional floral displays and stop promoting nonsense which pushes visitors and residents alike away.
‘Go to any historic city and floral displays make the place. Salisbury has always had a proud history of stunning floral displays throughout the summer months. Living pillars might be appropriate in Camden or Hackney but not here in Salisbury. It’s time for a rethink.’
Locals praised Cllr Wills’ defence of the hanging baskets, with one writing on Facebook: ‘Eleanor, You are a champion fighting all these causes in Salisbury and Harnham.’
Another said: ‘Terrible decision! The hanging baskets look beautiful.’
While it is ditching the hanging baskets, the council has decided to keep the popular floral statue, Gilbert the Dragon.
An example of a parklet in Hammersmith
Living pillars (pictured) have been proposed in Salisbury by the council
Lib Dem councillor Sam Charleston defended the move, saying: ‘The paper does not say to scrap Gilbert and I think he is very positive. He is 30 years old and that there is an end to his life and it is an extraordinary amount of water needed (to keep it). What does Gilbert 2.0 look like? Perhaps, he needs to continue in some form but right now he is looking very tired and sad.
‘I am fully in favour of the parklets and the living pillars and could be here all year round.’
Another Tory councillor, Charles McGrath hit out at the move from the council, deeming the move as a political stunt.
Mr McGrath wrote: ‘[The decision reflects] the utter contempt the SCC rainbow coalition treats our city with. Their councillors would rather play politics and get at Wiltshire Council than agree viable solutions to improve our street scene.’
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk