BUDE-STRATTON Town Council members unanimously agreed to a request from Bude Friends of the Earth to develop their own detailed plans for a Community Orchard at Neetside at their latest full council meeting on Thursday, September 7.

Town councilor, Simon Browning, is also part of the Bude Friends of the Earth and discussed the idea to the fellow councillors about the merits of the site and whether plans could be drawn up.

Cllr Browning said: “The Community Orchard needs the support of the community and the blessing of the town council to develop plans. Once they’ve been drawn up we can get then go out and get public support. The Community Orchard could be a fantastic resource for the town — it’ll get people together, is also good for biodiversity and can be used by local schools for educational purposes.”

Mayor, Cllr Peter Moores, agreed that the idea was good, but believed that a field on Stamford Hill would be more suitable.

Cllr Moores said: “I think that a sloping field on Stamford Hill would be better. The land there is extremely fertile and could be a perfect solution.”

Cllr Browning argued that Cllr Moores’ suggested site was too out of the centre of the town and wouldn’t get used.

He said: “Camelford and Newquay have these and I’ve spoken to people from Camelford. They said that if you take it out of the town centre, then people forget about it.”

Cllr Julia Bryson agreed that the idea was good in principle, but added: “I like the idea but I think that youngsters would destroy it within a matter of weeks.”

Other councillors also gave their backing. Cllr Lea Deely said: “It’s dead space at the moment and would be a excellent use of the site.”

While Cllr Peter Kelly added: “It’s a good idea, let them bring back plans and see what they say. We can’t let a few youngsters stop us going ahead with plans. If we did that then we wouldn’t get anything done.”

The council then voted on the proposal, which was unanimously approved.