Animals and plants will be given a helping hand to flourish in the rare water meadow environment of Scarning Fen. 

Breckland Council has joined forces with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Mid-Norfolk Conservation Trust and local volunteers to cut the meadows at the site on the outskirts of Dereham. 

Eastern Daily Press: Volunteers helping on the Scarning Fen siteVolunteers helping on the Scarning Fen site (Image: Breckland Council)

Councillor Paul Hewett, Breckland's executive member for projects, said he was delighted that the council had taken over stewardship of the fen, ushering in a new era for conservation at the site. 

Mr Hewett said: "Scarning Fen is one of only a handful of water meadows in the country, and it is fantastic that we have such a unique and beautiful space in the heart of our district.

Eastern Daily Press: Volunteers helping on the Scarning Fen siteVolunteers helping on the Scarning Fen site (Image: Breckland Council)

“We are dedicated to ensuring the preservation and proper management of Scarning Fen for the benefit of our community and the environment for generations to come."

Specialized hand-powered machinery is being used to cut overgrown foliage at the site, and volunteers from the Mid-Norfolk Conservation Trust are raking up the cuttings.

Eastern Daily Press: The Scarning Fen siteThe Scarning Fen site (Image: Breckland Council)

SP Landscapes will be tasked with clearing away the vegetative waste. The collected materials, including wood chips, hedge and grass cuttings, will be transported to a biomass power plant in Thetford.Eastern Daily Press: Paul Hewett, Executive Member for Projects at Breckland Council expressed his enthusiasm for this movePaul Hewett, Executive Member for Projects at Breckland Council expressed his enthusiasm for this move (Image: Breckland Council)