Create an orchard in your local community

 

Pendle Borough Council was allocated £19,000 in 2023 to create orchards throughout the borough to mark the royal event, and there is still funding left to plant more trees this winter. 

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 is 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 the purchase of the trees and items that are required for planting the orchard, products needed to protect them, delivery costs and items needed to upkeep the trees in the short-term to help them establish and thrive. 

Applications are now open, and planting must be completed before 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 is 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 28 February 2025; but note that the scheme may close early if all the funding is allocated.