Councillor Sean Woodcock, Labour member for Ruscote ward on Banbury Town Council, has submitted a motion to the council calling for the “transformative renewal” of sensory garden areas within the town’s parks, as part of a commitment to “building back better” from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sensory gardens designed with accessibility in mind can provide a place for independent engagement and exploration for all users, providing pleasure for being outside in a unique environment and can help to increase confidence for those with disabilities or complex care requirements.

An example of a sensory garden can be found in nearby Royal Leamington Spa at Jephson Gardens. The sensory garden here was installed in 2015 and in 2017 won a Green Flag Award for Innovation.

“Sensory garden areas can make our parks more accessible as well as more interesting,” said Councillor Woodcock. “That is why it is right, as part of a general programme of renewal across the town post-pandemic, that the council commits to looking properly at the issue.”

The motion, which will be presented to Banbury Town Council on Tuesday 17 November, reads:

This council notes the positive impact of sensory garden areas for disabled people.

 

This council tasks officers with beginning the work of a transformative renewal of the sensory areas in our parks.

 

This is part of the council’s commitment to the principle of “building back better” from the Coronavirus pandemic.