Newton Abbot salmon lifeline planned as £400k River Lemon scheme unveiled
A major River Lemon restoration project in Newton Abbot could see a historic weir removed, helping salmon migration while supporting wider efforts to improve the health of the river
A £400,000 scheme to remove a “crumbling” weir on the River Lemon in Newton Abbot could open up almost 50 miles of spawning habitat for endangered salmon.
The proposed removal of Bradley Manor weir was outlined to Newton Abbot Town Council's Community Engagement Group during a meeting at Newton's Place on July 8.
Representatives from the Environment Agency, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Fishtek Consulting and the National Trust said the project would allow migrating salmon to reach stretches of the river they have been unable to access for decades.
The scheme forms part of wider work to improve fish passage along the River Lemon. Upstream, improvements have already been made at Holbeam Dam, while defunct weirs at Orchard Meadow and Chipley Mill have been removed.
Downstream, boulders have been placed in the river to improve habitats and provide shelter for fish.
Olivia Cresswell, head of fisheries at the Westcountry Rivers Trust, told councillors that salmon populations were in a "poor" state and that Bradley Manor weir was "completely stopping salmon migration".
She said the structure and surrounding riverside walk were "a well-known and much-loved site", but explained that installing a fish pass would not solve the problem.
Instead, the plans involve removing the weir and creating a stone-lined riverbank to allow what she described as "full channel renaturalisation".
Teignbridge District Council is currently considering a planning application.
Project partners say the scheme would improve ecological connectivity, support salmon recovery, restore natural sediment movement, reduce flood risk, improve water quality and safely remove a structure that is already at risk of collapse.
The historic sluice gate serving Bradley Leat would be retained as a heritage feature, although less water is expected to flow into the leat.
Ms Cresswell also said existing eel populations would adapt to the changes and confirmed that no great crested newts had been found at the site.
If planning permission is granted, work could only take place during the summer months to minimise environmental impacts and could be completed before autumn 2027.
Funding would come from the wider Holbeam Dam upgrade programme.
Councillors generally welcomed the proposals, with chair of the Community Engagement Group, Cllr Richard Buscombe, saying: "It's been fascinating to hear what you have to say and we look forward to considering the detailed planning application when it comes before us later this year."