Everyone in the council chamber in County Hall seemed to be in favour of community orchards.

Yet a motion to try and increase their number was defeated comfortably.

Labour Councillor for St John’s Richard Udall introduced the motion at Worcestershire County Council which told the cabinet to: “Consider how council-owned land could be used to help with new community orchards in Worcestershire and how the Council could encourage and support communities who are interested in starting new orchards.”

He said: Worcestershire has a number of community orchards. They are places where people come together in a spirit of mutual co-operation. They get outdoors and get exercise, they grow fruit, often rare trees native to Worcestershire, keeping them alive.”

A new community orchard will be planted in Dines Green this June, helped by £500 from Cllr Udall’s divisional fund.

But the Conservative-run council’s cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, Councillor Karen May said there was no need for a specific motion, because the authority already did try and support such initiatives.

She said: “This is business as usual. I can’t support this motion because there is no need for it. We are already doing all we can to make best use of our land.”

He party colleague Councillor Lucy Hodgson said: “I certainly support this, as a ward councillor but I won’t be supporting this motion.”

For supporters of the motion the opposition of Conservative members seemed inexplicable.

Independent Councillor Charlie Hotham said: “Look at how much time we’ve already spent talking about apples. Everyone says they support orchards, so they should vote in support of this motion and we can move on.”