LITCHAM			NORFOLK		LAUNDITCH HUNDRED B   R  E  C   K  L  A  N   D
	VILLAGE PAGES	PARISH COUNCIL	CHURCHES	SHOPS ETC...	YELLOW PAGES	THE COMMON	GENERAL INFORMATION
	INTRODUCTION	MANAGEMENT	CONSERVATION GROUP	MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE	THE PONIES	NEWS REPORT	GALLERY

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 no longer occur, thus allowing self seeded trees to become established. Left to nature virtually all the valuable heathland habitat would eventually disappear. 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. The long term objective is to reintroduce grazing with cattle or ponies, once funding has been found for fencing and cattle grids. Read more..

In September 2001 a ten year plan was published by Norfolk County Council. The map shows the main areas of trees and scrub to be cleared by 2011 under this plan.

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 years.

The Management Committee is very grateful to all those who help look after Litcham Common. In particular, thanks go to Mr Birkbeck and Mr Graham Carter for mowing the paths during the summer months. Thanks also go to the volunteers who have turned out to help the conservation group. The most recent work has involved clearing one of the overgrown ponds in order to make this more attractive for wildlife.

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

GRAZING AND FENCING PROPOSALS
Secretary of State: Litcham Common Fencing Scheme Consent (pdf 249k)
NCC Ten Year Plan for the Common (Raz Woolacott 2001)
Bye-laws