Row over hanging baskets a ‘political stunt’, says Salisbury councillor

Independent Annie Riddle describes attack by Tory opposition on sustainable planting policy as ridiculous exaggeration

Council leaders in Salisbury have hit back at politically motivated" attacks on their decision to replace single-use hanging basket displays and planters provided by the council with environmentally friendly sustainable planting in the medieval city centre.

As part of an effort to become carbon neutral by 2030 and encourage bees and butterflies into the city centre, the coalition-led council this week voted to pilot replacing hanging baskets with living pillars" and parklets", which it hopes will provide pockets of nature in the heart of the city.