Walsall residents blame rewilding scheme for ‘surge in rats’
Residents in a Walsall neighbourhood have criticised the council’s rewilding scheme as signs of a ‘rat infestation’ have been uncovered in their area.
Newquay Park in Park Hall in Walsall was the centre of a major upset for residents last year after it was chosen to be rewilded.
Now, as the park has had its first cut of the year, residents say they have spotted at least seven rat holes.
They had raised concerns about rat infestations when the reduced grass cutting was first introduced, but they said the council told them rats aren’t attracted to long grass.
Kay Davies, who has lived on the estate for more than 50 years, said she has never seen the holes in the park before.
Walsall Council introduced the rewilding of 365,000 square metres last summer in a bid to save the council £50,000.
It had planned to introduce further rewilding this summer to save a further £50,000 but chose not to following backlash.
The Paddock ward, where Park Hall is located, had 4.21 per cent of the total amount rewilded across the borough of Walsall.
Areas like Pelsall, Streetly and Pheasey each had less than one per cent.
When Kay Davies complained about the ‘unfairness’ to council leader, councillor Garry Perry, he responded that Park Hall had not been treated any differently from anywhere else.
In the same email, Councillor Perry, who represents the Pelsall ward, said he would ‘never cease to use his role to benefit his own area’.
Park Hall residents have long criticised the council’s rewilding scheme, after Newquay Park, Helston Road/Treyamon Road and Wood End Park were all chosen to be rewilded.
The council has agreed to reinstate the maintenance of Newquay Park but has not budged on the other green spaces on the estate.
Residents speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service have called for the selection process for the rewilding scheme to be started from scratch and for residents across the borough to be consulted.
Bob Jones has lived on the estate for 46 years. He said: “There’s no other area which has been left like this. Their areas are pristine, where the councillors live, they really are. This area used to be so beautiful. We don’t deserve this. We really don’t.”
Jay Dhillon has lived in Park Hall for 18 years. He said: “They can’t say they’re not going to cut the grass because it’s good for wildlife, and then cut down a big hedge here, which devastated the wildlife. So much lived in that hedge.
“We pay the most council tax here than anywhere in Walsall and they can’t even cut our grass. We’re all for rewilding but only when it’s done properly.”
Claire Bentley added: “We did the petition with nearly 1,000 signatures, and it made no difference at all. They told people to go through the complaints process, but it didn’t make any difference.”
Kay Davies added: “They seem to forget that some of us have lived here for an awful long time. We pay £3k in rates, and some people pay £4k, and we’ve got to live with this.”
Portfolio holder councillor Kerry Murphy said it would cost £80,000 to go back to the grass cutting schedule before rewilding was introduced in 2023/24.
According to Freedom of Information figures, the council bought a new cut and collect machine at £78,369.00, excluding VAT during 2024.
A spokesperson at the council said: “In 2024, reductions to our grass cutting schedule were made to improve biodiversity and deliver financial savings. These savings help the council to continue delivering essential services, protecting our most vulnerable residents.
“The 2024 regime has since been reviewed, this included a consultation which asked all 60 elected members to provide feedback and information.
“This feedback, along with resident views, has been used to make changes to the schedule moving forward. Although it wasn’t possible to make all of the requested changes, amendments to the grass cutting in Park Hall were made, including the reinstatement of 7 cuts across Newquay Park.”
