Velator wetland was created by accident, a field was dug too deep whilst creating flood defenses and it filled up with water. This area was
closed off to the public partly to develop it as a natural wetland area, partly to avoid people coming in contact with the water.
Because it was left alone for 8 years, it became a environmentally rich area, with a variety of native wetland vegetation, otters, king
fishers, Canadian geese stopping during their migration, etc, but all of these were hidden behind trees and flood banks.
The Environment Agency then decided to commission an artist to create a viewing platform to watch this wetland.
After exploring the site and looking at the different type of areas of the wetland, we wanted to do more than just a place for people to
watch, but to create a structure that allowed access to the varied environment. We extended the original brief of a viewing platform into
three accessible areas responding to the range of experiences within the site: a raised grass platform within the meadow and tall grasses;
a series of standing posts along the embankment for the local people to officially access the site; and a walkway weaving through the
different layers of vegetation typical of wetlands, leading to a sunken platform bringing you to chest height within the water.
The Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service
Environment Agency
North Devon District Council
Engineers: Mark Lovell Design Engineers
Boat building: Roger J Tucker
An educational project
using the Velator Project as an opportunity to develop understanding about wetland areas