It’s one of the last pockets of public wild space in town.

Now campaigners in Kinsale fear the much-loved community orchard could disappear as part of plans for a major new development in the area, including a proposed 169-home estate and two astro-turf pitches.

The orchard was created around 15 years ago, when teenagers from Kinsale Community School and other local groups planted fruit trees, bushes and native trees for the community.

‘From Orchard To Astroturf’ by Kev Collins

Since then, it has become a much-loved gathering place, maintained by local volunteers and used by everyone from Scouts and Forest School groups to the Men’s Shed, Transition Town Kinsale, schools, college groups and dog walkers.

Locals say the orchard is far more than a patch of green space. It is a rare little pocket of wildness in an increasingly built-up part of Kinsale, home to birds and wildlife and a place where families and community groups can escape the concrete.

Campaigners are also angry about what they describe as a lack of information during the planning process, saying there was no mention of the removal of the orchard in the planning notice, something that is explained in a new video entitled ‘From Orchard To Astroturf’ by filmmaker and podcaster Kev Collins below.

Kinsale residents argue that this meant local people were not given a fair opportunity to object specifically to the loss of the community space.

“The Community Orchard belongs to the Community, and to the WHOLE COMMUNITY,” campaigners say.

Their message is simple: Kinsale already has plenty of development – but it has only one community orchard.

With the proposed development set to change the area dramatically, locals are urging the community to stand together to protect the orchard, its wildlife and a treasured piece of Kinsale’s shared history.

A petition is now live and has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures in support of retaining the orchard. You can take a look and add your support here.