About

The Objective of the Rous Lench Focus Group
The Rous Lench Focus Group is concerned with the heritage and protection of a Traditional Orchard in the village. The orchard is over 170 years old and was a managed and fully productive orchard until 2007. In 2008 it was entered on the Traditional Orchard Inventory held by Natural England. This inventory is curated by The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the orchard is registered as ID WORC0726.PTES confirm that the orchard is a site of Principal Importance, also known as a Priority Habitat. Veteran fruit trees are particularly important for their habitat value for certain species of insects, nesting birds and bat roosts. The orchard is also a suitable habitat for the noble chafer beetle and other protected species such as newts.Traditional Orchards became a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat as part of the BAP review completed in 2007. The Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 recognised the special habitat status of the orchard that is also subject to the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.The whole orchard is also covered by a Tree Preservation Order issued by Wychavon District Council in 2018.

Formation of Rous Lench Focus Group
There have been numerous planning applications in recent years seeking to change the use of or develop the Orchard.At a Parish Council meeting in April 2018, the current owners’ planning consultant presented proposals to village residents to develop the Traditional Orchard that would include building works for a caravan site with further plans for a bungalow.At the end of this meeting, parishioners gathered to discuss how they could work together to protect the Traditional Orchard for future generations.Rous Lench Focus Group was formed as a result of these discussions. The group has over 80 members made up of local residents who make voluntary contributions. A small team of volunteers is in place to co-ordinate activities, ensure effective use of funds and seek expert guidance as required to protect the orchard and its wildlife.The group has also formed contacts with organisations such as The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

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Planning Applications

There is quite some history of applications for residential use on the Orchard land.

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