VOLUNTEERS restoring the historic Stover Canal are ploughing ahead with their latest plans to attract visitors and walkers.

The Stover Canal Trust has submitted plans to create a new clay cored dam and improvements to facilities for visitors.

It wants to create a an ‘interesting and attractive’ new focal point at the head of the canal.

The proposals follow the completion of the Stover Canal Trail by Devon County Council in 2015 which is used by cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders and runs parallel to the northern half of the canal.

In a statement with the plans to Teignbridge Council, the trust said: ‘The trail has become a very popular facility for locals and visitors alike.

‘There has been a very welcome additional interest in the canal and its operation and the trust hopes to encourage more people to become members and join the volunteer restoration work parties.

‘With this in mind, the trust feels that to create and attractive and interesting focal point at the head of the canal, where trail users and tow path walkers are likely to pause and investigate the structures, will encourage them to go on and inspect the remaining canal features on their way south.’

As well as relining the canal basin, the trust wants to construct a small earth and clay dam and modify the existing inlet structure as well as form a safe environment around the new water feature.

A granite picnic table and benches already exists and the plan is to add to this with new oak benches, tree and shrub planting, wild flower seeding and the installation of reclaimed metal gears in the form of a sculpture.

The seating areas will be reached by gently sloping sub-base footpaths and each of the tables will have a wheelchair accessible base beside them.

To ensure public safety, steel ladders are also to be installed, discreetly attached to the vertical masonry walls on both sides of the basin in the event anyone falls in so they can climb out or be easily rescued.

A set of rustic steps have been created near the winding hole and they will be reinstated following completion of the relining process.

Two five bar gates have been fitted to the perimeter fence to allow walkers to inspect the cast iron base and bearings of the original large timber davit used to transfer the granite blocks from the tramway and onto the barges.

Overall the project’s aim is the partial reinstatement of the canal basin at its northern limit.

Over a number of years, the trust has managed to reinstate the tow path for virtually its entire two mile length, giving walkers a chance to walk alongside the majority of the canal’s course.

It has now become part of the Templer Way which runs from Haytor to Shaldon.

Plans have now been submitted to Teignbridge Council for the next phase of the work and have already had several letters of support.

A decision is expected at the end of May.