Newark-based Influence Landscape Planning and Design is the landscape architect on a project to create a new boathouse at Kings Mill Reservoir near Sutton in Ashfield, work on which has begun this week.
Kathryn Dunk, principal landscape architect at Influence, said: “Kings Mill Reservoir is a special place where nature and visitors flock. It’s a place for being close to nature, enjoying the surroundings and experiencing the myriad of water sports on offer.
“I’m really pleased that progress is being made to create the new leisure building which will sit alongside the water sports facilities and provide a place to dine and relax. Naturally landscape plays a key part here and we have created designs that responds to the specific character of the reserve, with a naturalistic planting palette of grasses and wildflowers and native Downy Birch trees reaching across the site to the water’s edge.”
Lincoln-based Lindum Construction is delivering the project which involves demolishing an old boat house to make way for a new two-storey structure providing modern, accessible changing and storage facilities for water sports on the ground floor, with a restaurant and function space on the first floor.
The project is one of 17 in the district being funded by £62.6m of Towns Funding and will complement the expansion of the neighbouring The Mill Adventure Base.
Lindum Construction Manager Mark Robertson said the entire project would take around a year to complete. “We are looking forward to getting started on this project, which will result in a superb leisure attraction for local people. The restaurant will be in a fantastic location with views of the water,” he said.
“We have a strong pipeline of local subcontractors who will be working on this scheme with us so the council’s investment will continue to circulate within the economy.
“It is good to be working with Ashfield District Council again. Lindum has a delivered several housing schemes for the authority over the past three years and we’ve developed a strong relationship, based on openness, trust and successful delivery of projects.”
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning added: “This is another positive step for our plans to make Mill Waters one of the top tourist destinations in the East Midlands.
“We want to hear from clubs or individuals, who are keen to get involved in developing and running water sports activities at the reservoir. Please get in touch with the team if you are interested.”
