About The Common

About The Common

Westleton Parish Council owns The Common which covers approximately 18 hectares (45 acres). It is a rich and varied habitat and is a valued community asset being an integral part of the landscape and of the economic and social history of the Parish.

It was purchased by the Parish Council in 2003 with assistance from Heritage Lottery Funding.

It is managed by the Westleton Common Advisory Group, on behalf of the Parish Council, as set out in a 10 year Management Plan, the latest of which runs from 2023 to 2033.

Advisory Group 2025

Nick Shearme, Cllr WPC - Chair  nick@gardenend.co.uk  

Ian Webber - Secretary  ianjwebber@yahoo.co.uk    

David Rous - Work Party Leader   David126754@outlook.com       

Julian Alexander, Cllr WPC

John French, Cllr WPC

Joyce Burtenshaw  

Barry Banks, Cllr WPC 

Amanda Freeman

Chris Freeman

Information

Westleton Parish Council is the owner of Westleton Common.  The Common is a rich and varied habitat which is a valued community asset as it is an integral part of the landscape, and of the economic and social history of the Parish.

The Westleton Common Advisory Group (WCAG) is a sub-committee of Westleton Parish Council. WCAG is responsible for drafting and implementing the Westleton Common Management Plan which is designed to manage, maintain and protect the Common on behalf of the Parish Council. The Management Plan is endorsed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Natural England and is governed by the terms of the Stewardship Agreement with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Work on the Common to implement the Management Plan is largely funded by a High-Level Stewardship Grant from DEFRA via RPA. The Parish Council has a duty to ensure this work – whether by volunteers or contractors – is conducted in safe and secure conditions.

The Minutes of WCAG meetings, the Management Plan and the Annual Reports are published on the Westleton Parish website. The Management Plan and the Annual Reports are published on the Westleton Parish website.

Advance notice will be given when major clearance work is to be carried out.

WPC/WCAG

March 2022