Decision details

To provide information regarding the potential removal of the Wisbech Park Orchard from the area of the old bowling green adjacent to the Pavilion.

AGREED to:

·         Note the content of the report

·         Note that the local In Bloom group who began the orchard project no longer have the capacity to maintain it.

·         Recognise that potential negative publicity regarding the removal of the orchard whilst also acknowledging the positive impact the orchard removal will have on reducing antisocial behaviour in Wisbech Park and enabling alternative use of the space.

·         Instruct officers to work with the CP Learning Trust to remove the orchard within Wisbech Park due to the increasing antisocial behaviour taking place and to attempt to transplant the fruit trees to the Fenland Orchards Project by the end of January with any cost to the Council kept within the budget highlighted in paragraph 4.6. 

With the increased ASB and Wisbech in Bloom handling responsibility of future maintenance and stewardship of the site, it is felt that the removal would serve the best long-term interests of the park.

It is planted on the original site of the bowls green and, prior to the successful funding application and construction of the adjacent pavilion, with further projects planned for the area and the orchard no longer being community maintained, it now presents a significant hurdle to these works.

The only alternative option is for the orchard to remain. This option would mean continued ASB from within the orchard and no potential to use this space for alternative, more desired, community facilities.