Chadwick Lakes is to restored and rehabilitated, with dams fixed, debris removed and an intrusive playground built in the 1990s removed.

The rehabilitation project, which was approved by the Planning Authority’s Planning Commission, will see the upper region of the popular recreational spot turned into an education zone and a trekking trail created along the valley bed.

Existing dams will have their storage capacity reinstated and debris and silt deposits which have accumulated over the years will be removed. Banks and retaining walls will also be rebuilt, the PA said in a statement announcing the project.

Read: Chadwick Lakes is crying out for a clean up

The project will also include the restoration of the existing Fiddien Box, with existing rooms conserved and turned into a visitors' centre, pump room and storage space.

A decision to restore the ecological zone was made after environmental studies revealed just how poorly the whole region was maintained.

“A lack of maintenance and proper management over the years has led to a number of problems including a reduced surface water retention capacity due to the accumulation of sediment and debris, a rapid growth of invasive and non-native plant species, the dilapidation of the retention walls and illegal dumping. Moreover, most of the original infrastructure designed by Lord Chadwick in 1884, has been left in a derelict state,” the PA said by way of explanation.

This project will be managed by the Energy and Water Agency.