Work to be carried out on Malvern's Priory Park Lower Pond for the first time in 30 years - The Malvern Observer

Work to be carried out on Malvern's Priory Park Lower Pond for the first time in 30 years

Malvern Editorial 15th Jan, 2022   0

WORK will be carried out to clean out and enhance the lower pond in Malvern’s Priory Park for the first time in more than 30 years.

It will see the pond distilled and repaired as part of the council’s Five Year Plan to improve the play area and biodiversity enhancements in the popular Great Malvern park.

Following the recent desilting and repair of the upper pond in Priory Park, which has reinstated water flow into the lower pond, 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 special fish removal prior to draining, the installation of gabion baskets to create planting shelves and wetland planting to provide habitats for aquatic invertebrates and insects.

Tree work will reduce overshading and leaf litter accumulation and wildlife features, such as kingfisher perch and habitat log piles, will be installed.


Other work will include non-native shrub thinning or removal and the replanting of native shrubs and woodland bulbs.

Installation of wildlife features including kingfisher perch and habitat log piles.

If approved, the project will take place early in 2022, to avoid key amphibian and bird breeding seasons and to ensure the least environmental impact to the wider park.

Up to 45 per cent of the cost will be covered by a grant from Natural Networks that the council has negotiated, greatly reducing the cost to council taxpayers.

The proposals will be put forward at Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday, January 18.

Coun Peter Whatley, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “After the successful completion and improvements of the upper pond we are really keen to progress with works to the lower pond.

“The desilting and repairs will create a more sustainable ecosystem, which will reduce the frequency of interventions of this scale.

“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 for more information on the Priory Park improvements.

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