Coronation Community Orchard Scheme
West Oxfordshire District Council is pleased to be distributing £50,000 of funding to support community orchard projects across the district, to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
This funding has been secured by the council from the Coronation Living Heritage Fund.
The aim of the 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.
There will be two planting seasons during which groups can submit applications:
- 2023/24 planting season, in which applications are open from 27 November 2023 and close on 19 January 2024, and planting must be completed in February and/or 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.
Eligible groups that can apply include:
- Town and parish councils
- Schools
- Community groups
- Residents' associations
- Businesses
- Landowners with publicly accessible land
Your 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. Fruit trees that are able to thrive in UK environments are eligible for purchase. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Apples
- Pears
- Quinces
- Greengages
- Plums
- Walnuts
- Cherries
West Oxfordshire District Council is able to fund capital items only that are required for planting the orchard. This can include:
- Trees and items needed to protect them
- Delivery costs
- Items needed to upkeep the trees in the short-term to help the establish and thrive
It is anticipated that 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.
Submit an application for our Coronation Community Orchard Scheme using the link below – we recommend that you review our application guidance notes before applying. If you have queries about your scheme, please email [email protected] and one of our team will respond.
Submit your application
Coronation Community Orchard Project - Guidance Notes and Application Questions - pdf - 309 Kb
Coronation Community Orchard Project - Cost Form - xlsx - 76 Kb