What’s happening on the River Otter has been pretty impressive these last years – from the reintroduction of beavers to the opening up of the estuary.
That project is now coming to an end – as it has been completed!
Home: Lower Otter Restoration Project
The Lower Otter is now being managed by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust and you can sign up for their newsletters here.
And now, there is a huge expanse across this part of East Devon:
The completion of the project is being celebrated – and we are all invited:
Join the Environment Agency, Kier, Clinton Devon Estates and Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust teams to mark the end of the Lower Otter Restoration Project. Talk to project staff, watch our new short film and take a look at displays pulled together as part of the project.
Archaeological artifacts found as part of the ground surveys will be on display before going on loan to the Fairlynch Museum for the rest of the summer. Relevant plans and documents from the estates archives will be available to view with expert guidance from the estate archivist. An exhibition of wonderful wildlife photos from David White, and fantastic artwork documenting the project works created by John Washington will be on show. Find out all about the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, the new extension to the Pebblebed Heaths NNR. Talk to Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club about their wonderful new facilities which are available for hire and what events they have coming up.
No need to book, just drop in during the afternoon. Clinton Devon Estates Environment Agency Kier – The Lower Otter Restoration Project Fairlynch Museum and Arts Centre Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club Love Budleigh
Join the Environment Agency,… – Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust | Facebook
It just so happens that Kier, the contractors working on the LORP, have also been taken on board for the District Council’s Sidmouth Beach Management project – and so their sensitivity and care for the Budleigh project bodes well:
Now the construction works have been completed (with the exception of some localised planting and seeding which will take place this month and into next), management and maintenance for the site will pass to the Pebblebed heaths conservation trust (established by Clinton Devon Estates in 2006 for conservation purposes). To this end the Pebblebed heaths conservation trust already has a dedicated Ranger who has oversight of the management and monitoring of the site with a view to ensuring that LORP reaches its full potential.
Now the construction… – Kier – The Lower Otter Restoration Project | Facebook
Finally, the question is to what extent such a project could have on any such project for the River Sid – in terms of agencies involved, leadership by the District Council, goals set, research undertaken and lessons learnt. The River Sid does not have quite the same scope for “restoring” the lower sections of its stretch, but it does have an ‘estuary’ of sorts – with some photos here of the limitations due to the cliff and the Ham:
The mouth of the Sid – The Sid
Although there are issues around pollution of the waters:
At the mouth of the Sid – The Sid
However, there is growing interest and momentum to look at a ‘whole river approach’ along the Sid:
The new River Sid Catchment Group established – The Sid
And some parts of the river are already being ‘restored’:
River restoration @ Stoney Orchard – The Sid
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