A management plan for Midsummer Common has been produced by the Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust with the council and key stakeholders.
A working group has been set up to enable discussions regarding the management and development of the common.
The group includes the Friends of Midsummer Common, the Brunswick and North Kite Residents Association (Brunk), council officers and councillors.
Orchard
One of the objectives listed in the management plan is a proposal to enhance the Pound area by creating a community orchard.
This land is currently used as a holding area for the cattle for short periods of time during the grazing season. Access through and to this land would be unaffected.
This project is being led by the Friends of Midsummer Common, who have been spending time researching other local community orchards and sourcing suitable tree stock.
The Friends are currently in the process of applying to the council to seek funding for this proposal, which can be read on the Friends of Midsummer Common website.
Proposal
If accepted, the community orchard proposal would involve:
- sourcing fruit trees through the East of England Apples and Orchards Project, who could also advise on suitable varieties
- improving current conditions of the pound to remove nettles, brambles and other weeds
- planting the orchard in three phases, with the first round of planting in the new year
- formation of a volunteer group, which would be supported by the council, to be responsible for planting and managing the orchard
Meadow
A further recommendation in the management plan is to enhance the grassland habit in some areas by introducing sections that could be sown with wildflowers and maintained as meadow.
In discussion with both the Friends of Midsummer Common and Brunk we have considered an initial trial area at the Butts Green end of the common.
Assessment
An assessment of the proposal is underway. This has involved consultation with local residents and users of the common, which closed on 13 November 2009.
All views that were submitted will be taken in to consideration before a final report is submitted to the West/Central Area Committee in December.
