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Mark Allbrook, Cromer Green Spaces chairman, presents Flagship Group’s biodiversity and land manager Daniel Salliss with the plaque at Meadow Close in Cromer. Back row, from left, Joe McNeill and Nick Thorp from Flagship, Chris Wright and Caroline Ashworth from Cromer Green Spaces, and Callum Taylor and Charlotte Bane from Flagship. Picture: Brenda Stibbons

A blooming brilliant wildflower meadow near the north Norfolk coast has been honoured with an award.

Cromer Green Spaces (CGS) has presented housing provider Flagship Group with a ‘biodiversity recognition plaque’ for turning Meadow Close, off Hall Road, into a stunning wildflower display.

The plaque was the first such award CGS – which is dedicated to making Cromer better for wildlife – has given out.

Mark Allbrook, CGS chairman, said: “We felt Flagship merited the first award because it’s such a visible site. It’s just near the Meadow and children’s playground, and Flagship made a public display of what they were doing with signage.

“We want to make room for nature in our seaside town. Allowing grass and wildflowers to grow over the summer months attracts insects, which in turn brings birds and other wildlife, and all of a sudden you have a town that’s very wildlife friendly.”

Mr Allbrook said wildflowers which have been thriving at sites including Meadow Close included poppies, hare’s ear, cat’s ear and mallow.

The biodiversity recognition plaque presented to Flagship for creating a wildflower meadow at Meadow Close, Cromer. Credit: Brenda Stibbons

Daniel Salliss, Flagship’s biodiversity and land manager, said he was thrilled to receive the plaque, which would be installed at the site.

Mr Salliss said: “We’re honoured to receive this recognition and proud to contribute to Cromer's natural beauty. There are a lot of benefits to letting grass and wildflowers grow rather than having it closely mown.

“These spaces provide a habit for insects like bees and butterflies and provide cover for small animals. They also boost access to nature for communities, which benefits both physical and mental health.”

Meadow Close is among hundreds of Flagship-owned green spaces across the east of England where wildflower meadows are being created over the next six years.

Sites already part of the scheme have been marked with distinctive ‘Bees at work’ signs with information about the scheme.