Litcham Common

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Management


The Common is actively managed for wildlife, with a particular emphasis on maintaining and restoring
the areas of open heathland, a rare and important habitat once widespread in Norfolk.

Since 1945, when there were few trees on the common, significant areas of scrub and woodland have developed. Traditional activities such as grazing ceased many years ago, and this allowed self seeded trees to become established. Left to nature virtually all the valuable heathland habitat would eventually have disappeared. One flower that has sadly already been lost is the beautiful Marsh Gentian.

In the early eighties the late William Foster of Lexham Hall became so concerned about the state of the common that he contacted Norfolk County Council for help. This led to Litcham Common being declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1984 in recognition of its important wildlife and landscape value.

A committee, made up of local residents and representatives from Lexham Hall Estate, Litcham Parish Council and Norfolk County Council, was set up to oversee the management of the common.

The main management objective is to increase the area of open heathland and reduce the areas of scrub (particularly birch). However, significant areas of woodland and many of the established trees will be kept so that as wide a variety of wildlife habitats as possible is retained. Four Dartmoor ponies have been grazing the western half of the common since June 2008. Their job is to keep the existing open areas clear of scrub, and maintain a diverse range of plants.

In September 2001 a ten year plan was published by Norfolk County Council, it identifies the the main areas of trees and scrub to be cleared by 2011.

The importance of the common to local people is also recognised with the provision of a car park, benches and the regular maintenance of the footpaths. Visitors to the common can enjoy many wild flowers such as heather, devils bit and harebells. Their continued presence bears testimony to the work carried out over the last twenty-five years.

The Management Committee is very grateful to all those who help look after Litcham Common; in particular, thanks go to the volunteers who regularly check the ponies. Thanks also go to the members of Conservation Group who turn out once a month to help with tasks such as scrub clearance and picking up litter.

Litcham Common Conservation Group helps carry out work as required, with assistance and guidance from Norfolk County Council's Countryside Department.

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The Mangement Committee are....

Neil Foster - Landowner

Sarah Cureton - Norfolk County Council 

Tim Angell - Conservation Group Representative

Mike Oldfield - Parish Council Representative

John Jones - Local resident & tree warden

Dave Wheal - Local resident

John Mitchell - Local resident

Contact: Tim Angell 01328 700045

Set up to oversee and implement a management plan when Litcham Common was declared a Local Nature Reserve, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The committee meets twice a year, and presents a report to the Annual Parish Meeting.

The management plan must be reviewed at least every ten years, and the last ten year plan was created in January 2001.

Support

The Management Committee is grateful for the support and advice received from a number of organisations, including  the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, the Grazing Animals Project (GAP), Larking Gowen (Chartered accountants), Natural England, Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Links to more Information.....

Managements Committee's Annual Reports to Annual Parish Meeting: 2005 - 2006 - 2007 -  2008 -  2009  - 2010

Secretary of State: Litcham Common Fencing Scheme Consent (PDF 249k)

NCC Ten Year Plan for the Common, by Raz Woolacott 2001 (PDF 80k)

Bye-laws (PDF 42k)