University’s orchard plan gets green light

A computer generated image of the proposed new City Orchard. (s)

THE UK’s first purpose-built public orchard is set to be brought to life at the University of Worcester’s City Campus.

Planning chiefs gave the green light to create the orchard at the former Royal Infirmary site at a meeting last Thursday (March 1).

The proposals won unanimous support from members and will see the area between the university buildings and Croft Road transformed and landscaped into a number of terraces separated by cast stone embankments.

A total of 11 different types of fruit or nut-bearing trees, including apple, pear, hazel and cherry will be featured in the development to the rear of the Charles Hastings building.

As well as the benefits to the community and university itself, it’s hoped the orchard will also help local schools promote biodiversity.

Councillors also welcomed plans to open a railway arch which runs through the site to create a link from the Hive history and library centre to the university’s campus.

The scheme has been created for the university by landscape artists Sans Facon in collaboration with Becky Sobell and BCA Landscape.

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor David Green said: “The university is wishing to landscape the undeveloped portion of our City Campus in a way which is attractive and inclusive.

“We are very pleased that the planning committee has agreed our proposal.”