The long, involved process of obtaining permission to fence a small part of Whitwell Common has, at last, taken a step nearer completion. A planning application for the fencing has recently been lodged with DEFRA. The Trustees, Norfolk County Council and Natural England now await their decision.
 
A notice was published in the Eastern Daily Press on 31st December 2014, there is a notice on the entrance gate to the Common and a full copy of the application will be lodged in Reepham Library for the public to see. It is well worth studying if anyone has any concerns about the impact of the fencing.
 
This is the first step towards bringing back some limited grazing on the Common. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the stocking levels and grazing season are strictly controlled by Natural England. The aim is to increase the biodiversity in this area, whilst reducing the costs of maintenance in the long term.