Need information about orchard planning, would like to raise an objection to a planning application or want to know what a TPO is? Visit Gloucestershires Orchard Group Website to access their planing issues leaflet which can be found at:
WTOP want to help as much as we possible can towards protecting orchards. However, due to being a volunteer lead project and the lack of appropriate resources to tackle planning objections and issues raised, we can only offer advise and guidance on where you can seek further help.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust do deal with planning applications where protected biodiversity is at risk of habitat loss. If you would like to seek advice from the Trust please contact one of the contacts below who may be able to tackle the problem further.
Bill Jenman head of Biodiversity Action 01380 725670
Neil Pullen Swindon Wildlife Officer 01380 725670
Orchards are now a Priority UK Biodiversity Habitat and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust with the support of Wiltshire council have produced a Habitat Action Plan that helps support their protection.
An orchard has no legal protection, unless it has been designated as a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserve (LNR) or is part of a National Nature Reserve or Conservation Area.
What action can you take??
- Speak to the land owner, try to get them to understand the sites importants.
- Planning applications are publicly made known so find out whats going on.
- Talk to the planners and Tree Officer at your district/borough council. find out if the site is already protected.
- Check council policies and local plans to see if there is any protection for orchards under your local authority.
- Tree Preservation Orders TPOs can be placed on threatened trees, which can provide a 28 day holding period for any comments to be made and submitted to your council.
- Get your local community involved, start a petition to raise the sites assets.
- Animals that can be found in orchards may be protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which includes bats and dormice. Find out what wildlife is using the site!
REMEMBER! take action as soon as you can before the application is granted.
Local development frame Works (LDFs) may offer some protection to traditional orchards! Traditional orchards are now believed to be important landscape features for biodiversity, acting as rich specie habitats and are worthy of conserving wherever possible. Your local authority planners can refer to the nationally recognised Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9): Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation. If an orchard is known to contain, or you believe it may contain threatened species, it may be possible to seek protection for the orchard under PPS9, the orchard may then have to be considered before any planning application can be granted. This gives your local authority various options for taking further action against the owners of a threatened site.
Take a look at the planning PPS9 document
Visit the East of England Apples and Orchards Project where you will find advice on the legal Protection of fruit trees
Please see `England In Particular' orchard advice notes attached below which offer you further advice on safe guarding orchards.
GOOD LUCK AND DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT!! | 