Larne Renovation Regeneration opposes Council plan, saying re-wilding will make Larne park ‘messy’

Larne Town Park

Larne Renovation Generation has voiced opposition to the “re-wilding” of the town’s main park.

In a statement on social media, the volunteer group – which has worked for years to improve the town’s appearance – raised concerns about the “messy” state of Larne Town Park.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is currently holding a public consultation on a “Nature Recovery Plan” for the park at Glenarm Road.

The council said:

“This plan aims to provide a framework to allow both nature and people to enjoy this beautiful park safely together. We would like to ensure we are meeting the needs of all users of the park, so if you have any views or comments on this plan please do make your voice heard.

“Feedback from park users, community groups, elected representatives and stakeholders will continue to develop the plan and ongoing reviews.”

Larne Renovation Generation responded:

“We were the first group to work with the council on re-wilding a small section of the park ten years ago, but we did not imagine this would be extended right across the park. It looks messy.

“The town park is used for civic events. Many of the areas that previously hosted civic events now have grass up to two feet long. Lawns are not bad for the planet.”

The group also warned that dog owners “will not be able to clean up after their dogs in the long grass” and that “it will be impossible to do a proper litter pick on the grass” where rubbish would remain “buried”.

They further claimed that “other areas of the town that have been re-wilded have attracted rats due to the issue of discarded food and waste in the long grass”.

Highlighting their own contribution, the group said:

“We have planted hundreds of trees and plants and taken part in litter picks for ten years. We believe that planting more trees and planting more shrubs and flowers is the best way to keep our environment in good shape.

“We will continue to do our bit to address the climate crisis, but we would strongly ask the council to transform our town park and Chaine Park back into beautiful spaces that any person of any income can enjoy. Action needs to be taken quickly to return the park to its former state.”

The council’s Nature Recovery Action Plan outlines measures such as “leaving designated areas of amenity grass uncut to form seed heads and flowers, and planting areas of native wildflowers… managed according to meadow management guidelines, including cutting regimes”.

It also highlights:

• creation of pollinator-friendly habitats through planting and bedding choices;

• retention of “appropriate deadwood” in woodland areas to provide habitats for invertebrates;

• supporting bird populations through native tree planting.

The report notes that the park features a blend of native and non-native plants, including extensive stands of griselinia littoralis, a species from New Zealand.

While beneficial in some respects, the council said its dominance should be reduced to allow native woodland species to thrive.

The plan also commits to monitoring invasive species annually and carrying out targeted woodland management to enhance biodiversity.

A council spokesperson said:

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council welcomes all views on the Nature Recovery Plan developed for Larne Town Park.

“Larne Renovation Generation have contributed significantly to the improvement of Larne over the years, and we hope that they submit their constructive feedback on the Nature Recovery Plan consultation before it closes on 20 August 2025, so their views can be included in the process.

“The aim of the plan is to provide a framework to allow both nature to develop and people to enjoy the park safely. The plan is available to read on our website.”