'Oldest' orchard under threat

Bawdrip's orchard is near the parish church

Campaigners trying to save a 400-year-old orchard from development say it may be the oldest one known in Britain.

The last-minute discovery is the latest twist in an extraordinary saga over the historic character of tiny Bawdrip, on the Somerset Levels.

Only one orchard, owned by Henry VIII, is known to be older - and it no longer has any trees.

Bawdrip lost a 16th century farmhouse last year when it was destroyed only two days before it was due to be inspected by English Heritage.

But TV botanist David Bellamy helped villagers save their beloved Skylark Meadow, a field of wild flowers near the orchard.

There is nothing to protect it. They could take an axe to it tomorrow

Donald Rayner, Council for the Protection of Rural England

His Plantlife charity met half the cost of buying it and runs it as a nature reserve.

Saxon artefacts have recently been found in the orchard and in the centre of the village, which was once a Roman port.

The orchard land has already been earmarked for development in planning policies, along with land attached to the wrecked farmhouse.

Proposed planning guidelines recommend allowing up to eight homes for Greenfield Lane, leaving only a strip of the ancient orchard.

Title deeds

But a local historian realised the great age of the orchard and alerted the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

She found mentions of it in title deeds dating back to August 1583.

The River Parrett was diverted away from Bawdrip

The environmental charity Common Ground has confirmed it knows of no other surviving orchard that dates back as far.

Donald Rayner, a member of Sedgemoor CPRE, said: "It will be outrageous if this orchard is destroyed.

"At the moment there is nothing to protect it. They could take an axe to it tomorrow.

"But it will help us argue the case against development."

Mr Rayner received the confirmation from Common Ground only hours before a meeting of the council's executive - too late for the information to go into a public consultation report.

Village green

Parish council chairman Jim Earnshaw said: "The apple trees there have a very limited life. They haven't been maintained.

"But the orchard is recognised as a community feature."

Some villagers have urged keeping it as a village green.

Bawdrip, once a prosperous sea port, lost its most prominent feature in the 17th century.

The River Parrett was straightened out by Dutch engineers to prevent ships getting stuck and the village lost its waterfront.