£19,000 to create orchards throughout Pendle to celebrate coronation of King Charles III

The funding is from DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund. 

The King’s Coronation Tree Funding is to enable more trees to be planted in non-woodland locations and close to where people live, providing a visible and lasting tribute to the coronation within local communities.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “This will be a great way to add more greenery to our borough and commemorate the King’s coronation.

“This funding will help schools, businesses and community groups who would like to mark the royal occasion, but do not have the funds to do so.”

Eligible groups that can apply include town and parish councils, schools, community groups, residents' associations, businesses and landowners with publicly accessible land.

The community orchard must be publicly accessible, or accessible to a significant number of people (as in the case of schools).

Community orchards can be any size larger than five trees and can include fruit trees that are able to thrive in the UK, including apples, pears, quinces, greengages, plums, walnuts, hazelnuts, cobnuts and cherries.

Pendle Borough Council can only fund items that are required for planting the orchard, including trees and items needed to protect them, delivery costs and items needed to upkeep the trees in the short-term to help them establish and thrive.

There will be two planting seasons during which groups can submit applications:

• 2023/24 planting season, in which planting must be completed by March 2024
• 2024/25 planting season, in which applications are open from 1 June 2024 and planting must be completed between September 2024 and March 2025

Phil Riley, Pendle Borough Council’s Green Spaces Manager, said: “It is anticipated the orchards will bring multiple benefits. Orchards provide a local source of healthy organic food for communities and schools and will help residents that are involved in their planting feel greater connection to their local green spaces.

“Orchards are also important spaces for wildlife. They are essential foraging habitats for birds, such as redwings and little owls, and a host of invertebrates, including the rose chafer and red-headed cardinal beetle.”

Councillor Zafar Ali, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, added: “This will be a great way to mark the King’s coronation, add natural colour to our  local environment and protect our local wildlife.”

To apply, complete this form https://www.pendle.gov.uk/xfp/form/475

If you have queries about the scheme, please email parks@pendle.gov.uk or call 01282 661587.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 January 2024.