Swift-setting concrete secures sea wall for watersports hub
Nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) between Larkstone and Rapparee Coves is Ilfracombe Watersports Hub – a purpose-built marine leisure and learning hub.
Made possible thanks to funding contributions – including £1.5m from Heart of the South West LEP, £1.35m from the Coastal Communities Fund, and £130,000 from Sport England – it was commissioned by North Devon Council and Ilfracombe Harbour Master’s Office to provide a new home for three local watersports clubs: Ilfracombe Gig Club, Y-Sail and Ilfracombe Canoe Club.
Barnstaple-based Pearce Construction was appointed as the main contractor in spring 2021 to navigate the complex build, which included a new sea wall and slipway.
Navigating a complex coastal build with innovation
To construct the sea wall, contractor TMS Ltd created bespoke blocks uniquely modelled to fit the shape of the cove. Specialist contractor Gunite Solutions Limited was then employed to apply a concrete overlay to strengthen and protect the wall from the elements.
Having to work around the tide, the team specified Saint-Gobain Weber’s webercem spray RS – a dry spray repair concrete. Its rapid setting nature made it an ideal choice for this project; within 15 minutes, the tide can wash against the product without scouring it at all.
Precision finish in a challenging coastal setting
The product was applied at a thickness of 200mm, with A393 mesh reinforcement and a cut and flash finish. This technique is often used in situations where the final finish is important for both aesthetic and technical reasons, such as in piled walls or bridge repairs.
Alongside battling the elements, the installation team had to manage challenging access down to the cove and plenty of public interest during the busy holiday season.
Award-winning hub driving coastal regeneration
The hub was officially opened in July 2023 and was crowned Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year at the Michelmores Property Awards 2024.
It was recognised for its part in regenerating and revitalising a unique and sensitive location at Larkstone Cove, offering improved access for watersports activities that provide social and economic benefits for the local community and visitors to the area.