Updated July 2024
In February 2024 several temporary information panels were installed to show the
overall project plan, and more importantly where visitors can park, walk and find the
temporary visitor facilities, whilst the capital works are happening between end of January-September 2024.
Visitor Centre Extension and Community Workshop Build
Aim: To upgrade facilities for staff, volunteers, the public & visiting groups; To build a community workshop to host practical woodworking sessions for volunteers & which external groups can hire; and install a biodigester to enable onsite waste management.
Progress: For this project we are being supported by consultants, South West Norse and building contractors, Skinner Construction Limited.
Once completed visitors to Stover Country Park will be able to enjoy new toilet facilities, amenities and interpretation. The private hire space will provide community groups a new venue to run workshops and a place for visitors to enjoy exhibitions. Volunteers will have a new volunteer room to store belongings and take a break in. The community workshop will be a space to support practical wood working sessions for both volunteers and private groups.
“Skinner Construction are delighted to have been appointed to undertake the extension of the Discovery Centre and the construction of the new build Workshop facility, as part of the Restoring Stover Park Project. Devon County Council are a valued client, and we are pleased to continue our relationship in delivering these restoration works, which are vital to ensure heritage protection, ecological enhancement and sustainability, so that Stover Country Park can continue to be enjoyed by all stakeholders and visitors for many years to come.”
Current timeline: End of January – September 2024.
For more information of what is going on here head to the Visitor Centre and Community Workshop Page.
Stover Lake (SSSI) – De-Silting
Aim: The Lake has lost its water lilies and other macrophyte and invertebrate species, caused by accumulated sediment and poor water quality entering the lake. We will remove 14,000 m3 of
silt to improve the Lakes’ designation from ‘unfavourable’ to ‘favourable’.
Progress: This project is funded by National Highways and we are being supported by consultants, Fishtek and the work will be carried out by Murlac Limited.
The area between the lake and visitor centre has been fenced off to create a working zone for our contractors. Silt from the bottom of the lake is being pumped into bags on the recently felled area, where it will be left to de-water. Once the silt is dry it will be spread and mixed with soil and re-planted with native tree species. To date we have removed 9,000m3 of silt.
“Murlac is excited to be involved in the Restoration works at Stover Lake. The environmental benefits which will be achieved as a result of the desilting works will be reaped for many years. By utilising the cutter suction dredging techniques offered by Murlac, the works will be carried out with minimal disturbance to the environment and without the need to drain down the lake. Projects such as Stover Lake are why the entire team at Murlac are passionate about our approach and methodologies in which we undertake these activities, as we all understand the importance of caring and maintaining our environment for future generations.”
Current timeline: February-September 2024.
For more information of the process take a look at the Stover Lake (SSSI): De-silting page
Granite Gatehouse
Aim – To carry out essential works to repair and conserve the Grade II granite Gatehouse and remove it from the Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register.
Progress: This project is funded by National Highways and Savills (UK) Limited have been supporting us to successfully complete the final works specification, carry out surveys, discharge planning pre-commencement conditions, and assist us to tender for a contractor to carry out the repair work.
In June we recruited Project Management & Buildings etc. Limited to carry out the repair and conservation work, to enable us to re open the Gatehouse for public events in the future.
Current timeline for repair works: July-October 2024.
For more information on this part of the project take a look at the Granite Gatehouse page
Serpentine Lake – Partial Restoration
Aim – The Serpentine Lake, once a central feature of the designed landscape, has silted up and no longer carries water. We will restore a portion of the Serpentine Lake below Stover House, restoring part of the historic landscape to become a unifying feature of heritage elements.
Progress: We have split this project into two phases.
Phase 1 – Our Ranger team have carried out vegetation clearance and tree work in February half term, to prepare the site for the restoration works. Completed on time.
Phase 2 – We have recruited consultants (ECUS and WSP) to support us in completing the final design, discharging the rest of the planning pre-commencement conditions, and assisting us to tender for a contractor to carry out the restoration work. Completed on time.
Phase 3- We have recruited Murlac Limited. to carry out the restoration work within the school summer holidays 2024.
Current timeline for restoration works: July- August 2024 (School summer holidays)
For more information on this project please take a look at the Serpentine Lake page.
2 New Public Footpaths
Aim – To create two new routes to provide some alternative walk options for our visitors, plus a provision of an area where dogs can be off their lead. In addition to providing variety for our visitors, this will also help reduce the impact of increased visitor numbers being concentrated around the lake, helping to conserve the wildlife and habitats we need to protect via the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) designation afforded to Stover Country Park.
By defining new routes, we will reduce pressure on the more sensitive habitats and better protect the SSSI.
Progress: Once the Serpentine lake works are carried out this summer, work will begin on the creation of new pathways over the winter.
Current timeline: Spring 2025
Car Park Improvements
Aim: To improve the car park by providing a designated space for coaches to drop off students for school/community groups visiting and improve the disabled parking layout.
Progress: This part of the project has been delayed until later in the programme
Current timeline: 2025
Upgrade and install a range of interpretation
Aim: To design and deliver new interpretation, wayfinding and signage along with a new digital offering
Progress: Heritage research is currently being undertaken by volunteers with the aid of Newton Abbot Museum. The design work and production will happen later in the programme
Current timeline: 2025