I thought it might help to add some more to what Geoff has posted below.
Firstly the Council have agreed to mow between the trees as part of their regular mowing work on the rec. The trees have been planted specifically to allow this. The trees are dwarf stock and will not grow above 6 feet or so. Some are quite high already because MESS have bought mature trees. MESS in the form of Incredible Edible have committed to pruning and maintaining the trees. It might also be of interest that some park groups in this area have been offered pruning training by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. This is to help a number of volunteer groups maintain the fruit trees on their Parks. If anyone wants to see a mature community orchard properly maintained by volunteers, then the one at the entrance to Werneth Low Country Park, on Higham Lane is a good example. The tree density is not much less than the one on the rec and they have some non-dwarf stock, but it looks well maintained and I would think not at all obtrusive or unpleasant.
On Saturday’s planting Cllr Finnie was also there later on as well as myself and Geoff. I think I should add that all six Marple Area Councillors worked on this together. It was the Councillors who unanimously asked the planting was postponed in the light of objections and to ensure a consultation was carried out by the Council. Consequently, 120 letters were sent out, with 80 replies of which 52 (65%) were in favour and 28 (35%) were against. The results were summarised to councillors with details of the substance of objections that had been made. All of us looked very carefully at this along with legal advice and the wording in the Deed of Covenant, plus advice from planning, and the plans set out by MESS, such as the area they intended to use, the state of the ground, the spacing and the ongoing maintenance. I think I speak for us all when I say we worked hard to take everything we could into account before reaching a conclusion. The Trust Deed places any decision firmly in the hands of Stockport Council who are corporate trustee of the Deed, not local councillors or residents.
I know this has been a disappointing result for those people against the plan, and they will remain unhappy. I know most objectors were not against the orchard per se, just the location. However, a majority of people supported the idea, and many have already drawn much pleasure from the planting day alone. There were some touching stories unfolding on the day. The orchard will also encourage pollinating insects which could improve the quality of gardens in the immediate area. It is hoped the trees will also reduce, if not stop the motorcyclists and others who have been riding across this corner of the Park. There is also a good chance the trees will help drainage in that area. Trees also help to reduce air pollution and improve air quality through their own aspiration.
I’d like to see improvements made to the Rec and some objectors to the orchard would like it to be better too. I’m open to discussing and maybe promoting such ideas. I know the drainage needs to be improved along Arkwright Road and that the missing set of goal posts needs re-instating. To me it’s a valuable area of public land that we should cherish, use and enjoy.
