A Suffolk village is enlisting it’s residents to transform recently transferred land.

Debach Parish Meeting has agreed to take over approximately 0.38acres of land beside Woodbridge Road from Suffolk Coastal District Council.

The site, which is mainly a grassed area with a few trees, has been unused for some time, and villagers want to turn the land into a village green, community orchard and wild play area.

Don Ewings, chairman of Debach Parish Meeting, said: “We are very grateful to Suffolk Coastal for the transfer of the ownership of this land to the residents of Debach.

“Now we have this fantastic amenity. We have already planted the orchard with apples, plums, pears, cherry and quince.

“This year should see our first harvest.

“While the adults in the village provided the manpower, the children of the village planted the trees, which are all on dwarf root stock so in years to come it will be the young people who will be able to undertake the harvest.

“Our future plans also include a bus shelter-cum-barbecue area, which will again be financed by funds sourced by the village.”

Suffolk Coastal’s cabinet memberfor resources, Robert Whiting, said: “Suffolk Coastal District Council has a policy of encouraging the development of strong local communities by enabling them to take responsibility for the facilities in their area.

“Debach is a fantastic example of what can be achieved. It is a vibrant community, with a track record of doing things for themselves. What is particularly remarkable is that Debach is a community of only 31 houses, yet it is able to involve people of all ages in working together to develop the communal facilities for everyone’s benefit.”

Refreshments will be served from the green at the first Debach Open Gardens Day on Sunday.

Nine households are opening their gardens to the public to raise money for the Debach Village Fund and Suffolk Family Carers.

Entry will be by village map, which will be available at the car park in the centre of the village. Entrance to all the gardens will be £5 for a family of four.