Orchard Network

Traditional Orchards are often associated with former farmhouses or smallholdings; they may be relict orchards that have been, or are about to be, swallowed up by the expansion of settlements or they may always have been part of a larger urban garden. It is these types of orchard that are particularly under threat from building development.

The UK BAP Priority Status of Traditional Orchards does not mean that they receive statutory protection, but there is legislation in place that can be used to protect them under planning policy.

Development comes about after planning consent, which is governed by policies and legislation. There are layers of policies and legislation that the planning process must consider but the final outcome will be determined by many factors. The information we give here is intended to help orchard champions to fight the corner for Traditional Orchards that are under threat from development.

The planning process differs slightly in each of the countries of the United Kingdom and this advice relates directly to the process operating in England. We are working to provide guidance for the Scotalnd, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For local guidance on planning and biodiversity, please go to your local authority. Some examples of local frameworks/guidance are given below.

National Links

Common Ground: Threatened Orchards - gives detailed advice note and case studies

Local Links

Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Partnership - advice leaflet

Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Partnership - biodiversity checklist; developers guidance

Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Partnership - Planners Checklist

East of England Apples & Orchards Project - general advice

Gloucestershire Orchard Group - See 'Tree Preservation Orders' section on the homepage for useful information on orchard protection in the planning system - advice leaflet and test cases

Oxfordshire County Council - biodiversity & planning in oxfordshire

Image: NTPL/John Millar