New commons should be created in Norfolk, providing havens for wildlife and much needed public spaces for people, a charity has said.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust this week published a study which considers the strengths and weaknesses of the potential for new commons - and how they could be created.

Norfolk currently has more than 300 registered commons, ranging in size from tiny fragments to several hectares, such as the trust's nature reserve at New Buckenham Common.

And, following a two-year National Lottery Heritage-funded project working in partnership with the University of East Anglia and Norfolk County Council, the trust hopes ways can be found to create new commons in the county.

Defining common land is complicated, but historically, it was where certain people had rights over land they did not own.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Beeston Common.Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)

The Commons Registration Act of 1965 required common land and common rights to be registered, with the registers for each county held by local authorities. That has been updated by subsequent legislation.

But, common land is rooted in Norfolk's history and the wildlife trust says there are opportunities for more to be created.

Thetford & Brandon Times: People enjoying one of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust walks around Beeston Common, this one led by Francis Farrow, right, honourary warden.People enjoying one of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust walks around Beeston Common, this one led by Francis Farrow, right, honourary warden. (Image: Archant 2021)

They say new commons, for the 21st century, could be created as part of new housing developments and new commons registered, with people having meaningful rights over them.

The report says that could include people being able to coppice them, to provide small timber, to graze livestock, to harvest hay or for community orchards.

There would be a need to balance wildlife, public access and potentially grazing through design and long-term management, with divisions between areas where dogs can run free, children can play and areas for wildlife to be relatively undisturbed.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Norfolk Wildlife Trust conservation officer Helen Baczkowska said there were several ecological opportunities afforded by such a large chunk of land.Norfolk Wildlife Trust conservation officer Helen Baczkowska said there were several ecological opportunities afforded by such a large chunk of land. (Image: Archant)

Helen Baczkowska, conservation officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, who is herself a Norfolk commons rights-holder, said: "Back in the day every parish in Norfolk would have had its own common. Many people in Norfolk feel passionately about commons as the places they walk, seek solace and enjoy encounters with wildlife.

“A new common will be a public open space firmly rooted in the historic landscape of an area, providing a place for ‘fresh air and exercise’ and perhaps designed to look very like existing local commons.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Beeston Common.Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)

“It will be part of the ecological network of an area and have wildlife habitats that play a part in carbon capture, as well as creating a new space for wildlife.

“With such connection to history, wildlife and communities, our project led to consideration and conversations with Norfolk County Council about the possibility of creating new commons in Norfolk.”

Thetford & Brandon Times: Beeston Common.Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)

Thetford & Brandon Times: Daphne Rowlands, left, Susan Pulley, and Derek Leak, take a look at the flowers during one of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust walks around Beeston Common.Daphne Rowlands, left, Susan Pulley, and Derek Leak, take a look at the flowers during one of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust walks around Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)

Thetford & Brandon Times: Norfolk Wildlife Trust wildlife and community officer, Gemma Walker, at Beeston Common.Norfolk Wildlife Trust wildlife and community officer, Gemma Walker, at Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)

The trust is running a series of events to promote the idea to local authorities and communities interested in establishing new commons. Email wild@norfolkwildlifetust.org.uk to find out more.

This week is Norfolk Commons Week. Details of events taking place are at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/commons-week

Thetford & Brandon Times: Common spotted orchids at Beeston Common.Common spotted orchids at Beeston Common. (Image: Archant 2021)