The desilting phase of the Hatherley Park lake restoration project is now complete, marking an important step towards improving water quality and creating a healthier habitat for wildlife.
Silt that had built up in the lake over time was removed as part of work to restore and enhance this valued community asset in Hatherley Park.
The project has been funded through Β£50,000 from Cheltenham Borough Council capital funds and a Β£5,000 contribution from the Friends of Hatherley Park, whose ongoing support and commitment to the park helped make the project possible.
Councillor Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces, said:
Hatherley Park lake is a popular feature of the park and an important habitat for local wildlife. These improvements will help the lake thrive for years to come, supporting biodiversity while ensuring it remains an attractive place for residents and visitors to enjoy.
"I'd like to thank the Friends of Hatherley Park, as well as local residents, volunteers, contractors, ecologists and everyone involved in helping to deliver this project.
Richard de Carteret, chair of Friends of Hatherley Park, said:
We're delighted to support this project and to see these improvements completed. The lake plays an important role in supporting wildlife and is a focal point of Hatherley Park. We look forward to seeing the habitat develop over the coming years for the benefit of both nature and the local community.
The work was carried out under the guidance of an independent ecologist, with measures in place throughout the project to help protect wildlife and minimise disruption to habitats.
Although the desilting and engineering work is now complete, restoration of the lake is ongoing. Over the autumn and winter months, the lake will recover naturally as water levels stabilise, habitats continue to develop, and wildlife will gradually return to the site. As the lake is not connected to a watercourse, it relies on rainfall and groundwater to refill.
Additional planting around the lake edges will continue to establish over the coming seasons, creating habitats for birds, amphibians, insects and other freshwater wildlife, while enhancing the area for visitors. The area that was used to store silt during the works will also be restored to grassland from late summer into autumn.
The project forms part of the council's wider commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across Cheltenham's parks and green spaces. In the years ahead, visitors can expect to see improved aquatic habitats, better water quality and a healthier, more resilient ecosystem that supports a richer diversity of wildlife.
Find out more about Hatherley Park.
