Mylander - Issue 83

6 Council Reports Neighbourhood Plan Group Your Council has two activities concerned with ‘greening and colouring’ Myland. The first has been running very successfully as a DIY action where MCC provides bulbs, shrubs and trees for free for residents to ‘green’ their gardens. The only request is that the give-aways are used, where possible, in front gardens to help brighten up our neighbourhoods. This is managed by MCC’s Community Engagement Committee. However, this report is about the other activity which sits with the Neighbourhood Plan Group and is embarking on ’greening the public realm’. We have looked at a number of locations where we would wish to apply some colour. However, as with many things in life there are challenges to overcome, such as land ownership and access to underground infrastructure that means we cannot simply go ahead and do as we please. We are therefore taking a phased approach and will start with five sites that Colchester Borough Council (CBC) are happy with. These are: • The junction of Mill Road and Severalls Lane; the Myland sign and white gate will be enhanced with two octagonal planters and daffodils. • The Northern Approach Road crocus blocks will be added to by planting daffodils between the blocks to extend the spring yellow colours. • The Little Rec on Mill Road, opposite the school, will have swathes of daffodils surrounding the trees by the side of the path that leads south from Mill Road. • The greensward at the junction of Nayland Road and Defoe Crescent will have three oval planters. • The greenswards at the junction of Mile End Road and Tall Trees will have two oval planters and a swathe of daffodils. Planters will have spring/summer flowers and later an autumn/winter mix. You may have seen examples of what can be achieved around the town and we have also taken advice from those responsible for those displays. We have engaged with possible suppliers and are finalising our arrangements. With this phase it is hoped to bring spots of colour to main routes through Myland and we will be looking at other opportunities in following phases. Cllrs Pete Hewitt &Marina de Smith