Work has started on a new boathouse, restaurant space and extended visitor car park at a Nottinghamshire nature reserve. The car park at Kings Mill Reservoir in Sutton-in-Ashfield is currently being extended to accommodate a new boathouse building, which was approved by Ashfield District Council in February.
The construction of the new building is due to start in late summer, with the demolition of the former sailing club taking place later this year. As well as the restaurant and function space on the first floor, the boathouse building will provide modern, accessible changing facilities for water sports and a meeting/training room on the ground floor.
These facilities will support activities including sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and open water swimming and will allow more residents and visitors to Kings Mill Reservoir the opportunity to access water sports. The scheme is part of Ashfield District Council’s £62.6m Towns Fund project, and since submitting the initial planning application, the authority has been undertaking surveys and site investigations, including bat surveys, to ensure wildlife is protected and habitats are enhanced by the new facility.
