We look after grassy areas, trees and hedges on public land in the borough.
We maintain green spaces around Chesterfield including:
- parks, open spaces and playing fields
- cemeteries and churchyards
- land around council housing - such as housing courts and flats
We also cut grass verges in Chesterfield on behalf of Derbyshire County Council.
Grassland management
We have developed an approach to managing grassland areas which aims to be more sustainable and improve biodiversity across Chesterfield borough.
Most parks and open spaces will be cut up to seven times per year, but there are key areas where the number of cuts is reduced to create 'managed long meadows' and 'pollinator pockets'.
Managed long meadows
Managed long meadows are areas of little public amenity, where grass is allowed to grow long and is only cut on an annual basis. The creation of these areas aims to create space for wildlife, and also encourage the growth of native species of wildflowers.
The edges of managed long meadows will be cut to create a clear edge that improves the visual appeal, in certain areas pathways will also be cut to allow residents and visitors to walk through the meadow.
Pollinator pockets
Pollinator pockets are areas where commercial wildflower seeds have been sown, these are non-native species but are great for wildlife and create a fantastic display for residents and visitors.
Grass verges
Grass verges are cut to improve visibility and make them safe for drivers and pedestrians. We manage verge cutting on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, and where applicable urban highway verges will be mown five times per year.
Some main roads, such as the A61 and A617 dual carriageways are maintained by Derbyshire County Council - areas next to the by-pass can only be cut when the road is fully closed.
You can use our interactive map to look up how we approach mowing in your area. Just choose the ‘Grassland Management’ option on the drop-down menu and enter a postcode to find a specific area:
You can find more details about our grassland management policy, including a description of the equipment used, information about the different types of grassland areas and answers to some frequently asked questions in the full policy document below.
| Chesterfield Borough Council Grassland Management Policy |  (PDF 5.74 MB) |
Leaves and weeds
We maintain pavements and roadsides throughout the year to keep them clear of overgrown weeds and vegetation.
In the autumn we also clear fallen leaves from priority routes, and will clear other areas on request where a build up of leaves is causing a hazard.
Trees and hedges
We look after the hedges and trees that we own, to keep them in a safe condition and make sure they don't damage property or obstruct roads and pavements.
Areas around and under trees will generally not be cut to assist with promoting biodiversity. This also prevents damage to the tree’s bark which helps provide access to water and nutrients and promotes the tree’s long-term health. We generally cut hedges back from October to the end of February, after the bird nesting season has finished. Areas planted with bulbs will not be cut until the bulbs have died back.
Shrubs will be pruned to an agreed size and to stop them from encroaching on footpaths. The Borough’s rights of way are managed by Derbyshire County Council as are many of the cycle ways.
Privately owned land
We are not responsible for cutting grass, hedges or pruning trees on private land, but can provide a quotation for this service on request.
Gardening help for council tenants
If you are a council tenant and have difficulty looking after your own garden, we may be able to help. Find out more about the garden assistance scheme.
Report a problem
Let us know if there is a problem with grass cutting or verges, overgrown weeds, fallen leaves, or an issue with a tree or hedge on public land.
You will need to tell us the address where the issue is or be able to mark it on a map.
Protecting your privacy - find out how we keep your information safe.
You might also be interested in:
- a high hedge in a neighbouring garden
- problems with a build-up of rubbish or vegetation in an untidy land or garden
- land or buildings in a bad condition that are damaging the amenity of the local area