Dartmouth’s Community Orchard has recently been listed as an Asset of Community Value by South Hams District Council.

The Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard submitted the application to gain recognition for the work that its volunteers had undertaken, in collaboration with Dartmouth Town Council the owners of the land, to improve accessibility and community involvement in the orchard.

In England, an asset of community value - ACV - is land or property of importance to a local community which is subject to additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011.

Over the past two years, the Friends group has grown to 150 members, has stated its vision, crafted a constitution, developed a management plan and held two annual general meetings which have been well attended.

Regular working parties have cleared scrub, pruned all of the apple trees, trimmed native trees encroaching over the fruit trees and, with financial support for the council, developed all-weather paths through the orchard.

Biodiversity has been fostered by creating "bug hotels" and brash piles, and audits of plant and animal life, including bat species, have been performed. Footfall, both human and canine, has improved considerably and many new users have found the orchard a wonderful place to exercise or just to sit, enjoy the view and listen to the bird life.

Although grateful to Dartmouth Town Council and its Corporate Property Committee for the funds that have been made available, in these straightened times the Friends have worked hard to develop other sources of funding.

Membership of Orchard Link, a volunteer organisation set up in 1998 because of concern for the rapid decline of traditional orchards in South Devon, brought the opportunity to benefit from their Growing Orchard Communities project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

As one of only five "core groups" in this project they received enhanced funding whilst accepting additional responsibilities to host practical workshops and create films and other materials for the web site. Funds were raised at social events such as the Summer picnic and Autumn apple pressing held each year.

Other sources of funding came from Devon County Council, the Rotary Club of Dartmouth and by generous donations by the members. The latest project has seen the creation of an attractive educational and information shelter near the Ridge Hill entrance which will have a sustainable "green" roof of sedum. More educational opportunities are being planned in collaboration with the local schools.

The chair of the Strategic Group of the Friends, Peter Goldstraw, said: “We are delighted that this designation recognises the improved accessibility of the orchard brought about by our efforts with the support of the Town Council.

“However, the future of this valuable open space cannot be left to the Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard alone. There are resurgent threats of development within the orchard and its long-term security will depend upon the support of the local community. Use it or risk losing it!

“We have established a petition to demonstrate to those developing the Neighbourhood Plan that there is wide support within this town to keep the orchard free from development. It is a critical part of the matrix of local green spaces.

“Each of these is important individually, but collectively they are vital for the future of our natural environment.”

Supporters may sign the petition on line through the Friends of Dartmouth Community Orchard web site www.dartmouthcommunityorchard.co.uk , at one of the "road shows" they will hold around the town over the Easter weekend, or go along to their Summer picnic which will be held on Rogation Sunday, May 21.