Community orchards are excellent places for people to come together to plant and cultivate a variety of fruit or nut trees and to use the area as a focal point for community activities. They can also be identified as Coronation Community Orchards, as part of local commemorations for the King's Coronation. They can contribute to biodiversity and provide opportunities to learn new skills such as wildlife watching, horticultural skills and maintenance of trees.
Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) has identified tree planting as a key part of the Authority’s response to the climate change and biodiversity crises; the Coronation Living Heritage Fund is designed to provide capital funding for local orchard creation projects in non-woodland locations, and close to where people live, also providing a visible and lasting tribute to the King’s Coronation within local communities.
General Terms
1. Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) is looking to award grants from the Nature for Climate Fund: Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF). This scheme will provide 100% funding for Coronation Community Orchard creation, including trees, protection/fencing/gates where required, and contractor installation costs where required. Applications will be considered for proposed project costs from a minimum £200 to a maximum £10,000.
2. Applications will be considered where a community/public benefit can be demonstrated from schools, residents’ associations, community groups, charities, businesses, or parish/town councils.
3. Applicants are required to accurately complete this application form, to provide all the information asked for, and in the order and format specified. This enables MHDC to consider applications fairly and equally. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis until this fund is exhausted.
4. Proposed orchard creation projects must demonstrate that tree planting funded by this scheme can be completed by 31st March 2025.
5. Applicants must retain and provide on request, any written quotes, receipts, and invoices pertaining to expenditure funded by this scheme.
6. If successful, applicants must record photographic evidence of tree planting and any capital works funded by this scheme. Applicants must also record survival rates of planted trees, provide this evidence/information on request, and permit site inspections by a representative of MHDC if requested.
7. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they understand the requirements for this application process. If any information is unclear or if an Applicant considers that insufficient information has been provided, it should raise a written query via email at CLHF@malvernhills.gov.uk
8. By applying, Applicants accept the terms and conditions in the application. Failure to comply with the instructions set out in the application or the provision of false, inaccurate, or misleading information, may result in the Applicant’s exclusion from this Application Process.