Contractors responsible for managing outdoor spaces in St Albans have been confirmed a community meadow was accidentally mowed down for a second consecutive year.

Both in 2023 and at the end of August this year, John O'Conner Grounds Management Ltd accidentally cut down the grass in an area near Creighton Avenue in Cottonmill.

The space is run by volunteers from Grow Community Sopwell who obtained permission from the district council two years ago.

Addressing last night's meeting of the district council's Public Realm Committee, John O'Conner operations director Joe Howarth said that the company made "a lot of changes" to ensure it would not happen again.

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Mr Howarth's explanation is that some residents approached an operator asking for the grass to be cut.

Thinking it was "the right thing to do for the community", he cut the grass, repeating the mistakes of last year.

Mr Howarth said: "This is obviously very disappointing for the company and for myself.

"We're going to work with the residents there and learn about these areas and only take instructions from council officers and not the public."

He promised that going forward, the company would "work hard" to get it right and form a better relationship with residents.