Updated March 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-July 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.
Progress: For this project we are being supported by consultants, South West Norse and building contractors, Skinner Construction Limited.
Regular visitors to the Park will have seen lots of activity over the last few weeks in preparation for the work. This has included vegetation clearance, installing a temporary portacabin to provide office space for the rangers, along with temporary toilets, an information point and new site signage for visitors whilst the works are taking place.
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 – July 2024.
Stover Lake (SSSI) – Silt Dredging
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. Murlac Ltd. are onsite preparing the site for the geotextile bags and laying the pipes for the dredging to start soon. The silt from the bottom of the lake will be 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.
“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-July 2024.
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 recently been recruited to support us to 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.
Current timeline for repair works: June-August 2024.
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.
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.
Current timeline for restoration works: July- August 2024 (School summer holidays)
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 of this year.
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: Summer 2025