AN ancient West Somerset orchard which could be 400 years old is being restored in a project championed by Porlock resident Stephen Colson.

Mr Colson, who is vice-chairman of the parish council, wants to see the 3.5-acre site off Porlock Hill returned to a managed, working orchard.

Conigar Orchard was a commercial enterprise until 1990 but now only about 114 apple trees survive.

Dense bramble has already been cleared, grass strimmed, and fencing put up earlier this year.

Now, Mr Colson has applied to Exmoor National Park Authority for planning permission for restorative pruning of the trees.

All of the trees are covered by a blanket tree protection order (TPO), but many are ‘seriously covered’ in bramble, ivy, and vine and their condition will not be known until pruning has been carried out.

A view across part of Porlock's Conigar Orchard, which is being restored.
A view across part of Porlock's Conigar Orchard, which is being restored. (Stephen Colson)

About 70 have already died and some of the stumps are now ant hills, while some trees had fallen but were stll alive and would need pruning to allow for grass cutting and to stop bramble regrowth.

Mr Colson said restorative work was needed between now and next April, after which annual maintenance would be required.

He said new, local heritage apple trees would also be planted, including the village’s own ‘Porlock Pippin’, which was being preserved through planting in local gardens and orchards.

Mr Colson said mature, mixed species trees on the orchard’s northern and western boundaries were also subject to TPOs and while they would be left to their own devices, some individual light pruning might occasionally be needed.

He said a 15-year management plan through to 2041 had been prepared showing regular work on the trees which would be necessary to maintain the health and longevity of their fruit bearing life.

It was estimated 80 per cent of traditional orchards in England and Wales had been lost since the 1900s, including in Somerset.