Purpose

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

Content

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. 

Reasons for the decision

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.

Alternative options considered

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.