A £160m busway scheduled to be built through one of Cambridgeshire’s last traditional orchards would cause irreversible ecological harm, a public inquiry has been told.

The plans being examined for an off-road busway linking Cambourne to Cambridge follow a route through Coton Orchard, a 24-hectare (60-acre) orchard and nationally recognised priority habitat. A public inquiry, held by planning inspectors appointed by the transport secretary, is examining the scheme until 21 November.

Coton Orchard is one of the county’s last large traditional orchards, home to century-old Bramley trees, rare moths, bats, birds and butterflies. Its age and structure mean it is classed as an irreplaceable habitat under national planning policy.