Dereham

Situated on the A47 road and approximately 15 miles west of the city of Norwich, Dereham is steeped in history and was originally established as a religious community by Withburga, daughter of a Saxon king.  

Interesting facts about Dereham

• Dereham considers itself "The Heart of Norfolk" due to its central location in the county of Norfolk - the Tesco car park being cited as the exact centre
• The railway between Dereham and Wymondham is operated as a tourist line by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust and they also have a number of events each year including the Polar Express, Afternoon Tea and other music & food events.
• Architect George John Skipper (1856 - 1948) was a leading Norwich based architect of the late Victorian and Edwardian period and was born in Dereham. The famous writer and poet, John Betjeman said of Skipper, "he is altogether remarkable and original. He was to Norwich what Gaudi was to Barcelona"
• Singer-songwriter Beth Orton was born in Dereham in December 1970. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit, Andrew Weatherall, Red Snapper and the Chemical Brothers in the mid-1990s and her UK/US debut solo album, Trailer Park in 1996 garnered much critical acclaim as did her albums Central Reservation (1999) and the 2002 UK top 10 album, Daybreaker
• William Hyde Wollaston (6th August 1766 - 22 December 1828) was an English chemist and physicist born in Dereham. He is famous for discovering the chemical elements rhodium and palladium and developed a way to process platinum ore into malleable ingots
• Poet William Cowper (1731 - 1800) was one of the most popular poets of his time and considered one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. He died in Dereham and is buried in St Nicholas' Church. There is a commemorative stained-glass window in his honour

The Town Delivery Plan presents detailed evidence and recommendations for deliverable and impactful interventions that can be delivered  over the next ten years. These interventions  are designed to have a positive environmental, social and economic impact.

The plans present a robust evidence base and justification for action based on qualitative and quantitative research done by our professional consultants, Hatch and We Made That. They are the result of extensive desktop research and data gathering, as well as numerous stakeholder consultations and workshops, surveys, and engagement work with residents and businesses. They represent the ideas and ambitions of the people that live, work and trade in the town.

Partnership working was key to producing each of these plans. The council emphasised the need to bring together partners, planning and decision-making bodies, businesses, and residents for all stages of this process. The involvement of other partners in the delivery of the Plans will be key. To succeed and create real change, this project has recognised that it must bring stakeholders together.

Dereham's Town Delivery Plan 2021-31 (PDF) [16MB] (opens new window)