Work is set to start next week on cleaning out and enhancing the lower pond in Priory Park.
Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) approved plans in January to desilt and repair the pond as part of the Five Year Plan to improve the popular Great Malvern park.
As part of preparations this week, the surrounding trees are being pruned and draining of the pond started. Specialists will remove the fish safely.
To assist with the works, the Council House car park on Avenue Road will be closed on Monday to Thursdays between 7 February and 29 April.
The footpaths by the lower pond in the park will also be closed between 7 February and 29 April. Visitors are being asked to follow the signs.
The works follow recent desilting and repair of the upper pond, which has reinstated water flow into the lower pond however, more significant works are required to the lower pond to improve water quality and biodiversity.
Desilting will enable the pond to start capturing carbon again and provide the right environment for plants to grow.
In addition to desilting, the project also includes:
- Specialist fish removal prior to draining.
- Installation of gabion baskets to create planting shelves.
- Wetland planting to create habitat for aquatic invertebrates and insects.
- Tree works to reduce overshading and leaf litter accumulation.
- Installation of wildlife features including kingfisher perch and habitat log piles.
- Non-native shrub thinning or removal and re-planting with native.
- Shrubs and woodland bulb planting.
Works on the lower pond will run until April 2022.
The project has received funding of £102,716.37 from the European Regional Development Fund, awarded by Natural Networks. This makes up 45% of the project cost, with MHDC providing the remaining 55%.
Cllr Peter Whatley, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "It is so exciting to see the next phase of our Priory Park improvements underway. It has been 30 years since the pond was cleaned out and the additional works will improve the water quality, making it suitable for wetland wildlife to thrive. These works are essential and all part of our commitment to improving and making the most of our wonderful environment."
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/priorypark to keep up to date with the improvements to Priory Park.
The project is receiving up to) £102,716.37 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Natural Networks programme is delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Further information can be found at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/naturalnetworks.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
Pictured: Cllr Peter Whatley, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Malvern Hills District Council, with Priory Ward members Cllr Beverley Nielsen and Cllr Cynthia Palmer.
