Mid Suffolk District Council have advised that their officers have been closely monitoring the dry and hot conditions in recent weeks and speaking to partners.

Following an internal assessment they will be bringing forward cutting of the open spaces they manage as wildflower meadows in order to reduce fire risk during the continued hot, and dry, weather.

This will now start next week (w/c 27^th July) instead of late August, following essential preparations and scheduling. Not all parishes have areas managed as wildflower meadows, and therefore some will not be affected.

It will take time to complete the works, so this message is to provide advance warning for affected parishes as the work progresses. 

In many areas, the grass is already dried out, and therefore no longer supporting as much wildlife, so they will be clearing them early as a precaution.

Priority will be given to meadows close to fences or houses, with more remote meadows left until later to retain habitat for wildlife. We believe any ecological impact will be limited, with the hot weather already having hastened the lifecycle of many species. 

They have put out a news story on their website (https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/w/meadow-land-management-and-reducing-fire-risk-during-hot-weather and https://www.babergh.gov.uk/w/meadow-land-management-and-reducing-fire-risk-during-hot-weather ) and will be using their social media channels to communicate this to residents.