Westbury community orchard plan to go before council

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Westbury Town Council is considering plans to plant seven apple trees in a public green space at Hunters Chase.

Westbury Town Council's management of services committee will decide on Monday, October 12 whether to approve plans for a community orchard at Hunters Chase. Seven apple trees would be planted in the green space, featuring locally named varieties including Bedwyn Beauty, Chorister Boy and Corsley Pippin.

The trees would be donated by one of the council's volunteer tree wardens, making the project cost-free for the council. A volunteer tree warden has offered to supply the self-grafted trees and help maintain, water and monitor them after planting. If approved, planting would take place between October and January. The informal orchard would be designed to fit within the existing green space, with some trees planted on half-standard rootstock to keep canopies at a suitable size.

The council said the orchard would allow residents to pick apples and give children and young people an opportunity to learn about food growing and sustainability. It would also provide additional food sources for wildlife and increase tree cover in the area. Westbury's tree wardens have previously created community orchards at Grassacres Park and Penleigh Park.

How it is being reported

• New orchard could open to the public in Wiltshire townResidents in a Wiltshire town could soon be picking apples from a new community orchard.Gazette & Herald · 10 Oct, 05:00
• New orchard could open to the public in Wiltshire townResidents in a Wiltshire town could soon be picking apples from a new community orchard.Wiltshire Times · 10 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Westbury · Hunters Chase · Westbury Town Council · Grassacres Park · Penleigh Park

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