Conservation and improvement work starts at Stover Country Park

Work has started on a range of major improvements at Stover Country Park as part of the Restoring Stover Park Project.

The scheme includes extending the current visitor centre, creating a new community workshop, re-establishing a section of the historic Serpentine Lake, and silt dredging of Stover Lake.

The Restoring Stover Park Project has been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to create a better place for people, wildlife and heritage.

Work on these initial elements of the project is expected to be completed this autumn but an extensive activity plan of community engagement is continuing to be delivered throughout the three-year programme.

Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It’s fantastic news that work is underway at Stover Park. Thanks to National Lottery players, this ambitious project will revitalise the biodiversity, restore the historic landscape and create an accessible green space for the community. It’s important everyone has access to nature and it’s through projects like these that we can make a real difference and offer people a chance to connect with nature on their doorstep and help with its recovery.”

Regular visitors to Stover will have seen lots of activity over the last few weeks in preparation for the work. This has included vegetation clearance, installation of a portacabin to provide office space for the rangers, public toilets, an information point and new site signage for visitors while work is taking place.

Visitor Centre Extension and Community Workshop Build

To upgrade facilities for staff, volunteers, the public and visiting groups, the visitor centre is being extended and a community workshop is also being built which will host practical woodworking sessions for volunteers and will also be available for hire to external groups.

South West Norse is consultant on this aspect of the project and work is being carried out by building contractor Skinner Construction Limited.

Once completed visitors to Stover Country Park will be able to enjoy improved facilities and interpretation. The private hire space will provide community groups with a new venue for workshops and a place for visitors to enjoy exhibitions. Volunteers will have a new volunteer room to store belongings and take a break.

The community workshop will be a space to support practical wood working sessions for both volunteers and private groups.

Lloyd Soper, Managing Director of Skinner Construction Limited, said: “Skinner Construction is 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 is 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.”

Activity Plan

The community engagement programme is delivering a variety of activities from new volunteering opportunities and cycling confidence courses to the creation of tree nurseries and new outdoor learning spaces. Success stories over the past year include:

• The Veteran Tree Nursery Project is underway involving Bearnes Primary School and Stover School.
• Stover Shed Volunteers have been busy creating furniture for the forest school sites and making items for the new Roundhouse.
• Weekly carpentry wellbeing sessions have been delivered by Kingscare, a local charity which aims to improve the quality of life of those in need within the community.
• Four weekly programmes of family sessions have been completed by Home Start, a charity which supports parents to create stronger families.
• Newton Abbot Museum Volunteers have been carrying out research around different aspects of Stover’s history.
• Six young people have been recruited and trained in dragonfly identification and survey techniques.
• The Newton Abbot Photography Club has been capturing stages of work to date in preparation for an exhibition next summer.
• School holiday sessions for Y-Smart, which supports families dealing with substance use, have been delivered.
• Three trainee volunteer rangers have been recruited.