A housebuilder has planted a community orchard to support a natural habitat for wildlife and provide fresh fruit for residents, as well as environmental benefits at a new development in Stowupland.
Linden Homes has funded the planting of 48 apple, pear, plum and cherry trees at Oak Farm Meadow on the western edge of the village.
The developer, which is part of the Vistry Group, is delivering 143 new homes at the site, including 93 houses for private sale and 50 homes provided as affordable housing for local people through rent or shared ownership.
The trees were planted at the development earlier this month (January) by landscape contractors Giles Landscapes CMS Ltd.
Richard Harmer, general manager at Giles Landscapes, said: “We have planted 21 different species of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees at the site. A team of three planted 48 trees which are all about two metres tall.
“A benefit that all trees bring is that they take harmful carbon dioxide out of the air and store it as carbon in their roots, trunks and branches. These fruit trees will also provide blossom which will benefit the bees, a place for insects to live and shelter for birds which, along with bats, will also feed on the invertebrates.
“These trees have been set apart so that a wildflower meadow can be seeded in the spaces. This will create a very aesthetically pleasing public open space and one that will provide a wider habitat where bees and other pollinators and insects can thrive. In the autumn, fallen fruit will provide foods for the birds and other foraging wildlife such as badgers.”
The development will also feature bat and bird boxes among the established trees, as well as a ‘hedgehog highway’ with holes in fencing to allow the animals to wander freely across the site, wildlife-friendly lighting with dark areas, and log piles in green spaces to provide shelter and hibernation areas for reptiles such as the slow worm and the common lizard.
Jason Colmer, sales and marketing director of Linden Homes Eastern, said: “It is always very pleasing to see new trees being planted at a development. The creation of the orchard is testament to our commitment to put local ecology at the forefront of our plans at Oak Farm Meadow.
“The orchard is part of our plan to shape a truly ground-breaking biodiverse environment on this development, where 40 per cent of the site is set aside for public open spaces. These trees will soon grow tall and will provide a soft, natural aspect to the southern part of the development.
“Getting back to nature came out as an important issue when people reassessed their requirements for a new house after being cooped up inside for long periods of time due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. This community orchard will put nature on the doorstep for these residents.
“We are told that, within a couple of years, the trees should bear fruit which the residents will be free to pick and eat. This will be great for parents who will not only be able to enjoy the fruit from the trees but can teach their children where their apples, pears, plums and cherries come from.”
There are currently three and four-bedroom homes available to reserve at Oak Farm Meadow.
For more information about Linden Homes call the sales team at Oak Farm Meadow on 01449 424637.
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References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
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