Local anglers and rural organisations campaigning to overturn a controversial decision by North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) to ban fishing at the Wingerworth lido are urging councillors to support a motion proposing a public consultation on the future of the lake, including the question of fishing, set to be debated at the next full NEDDC meeting on Monday, September 22.
It comes after Wingerworth Parish councillors unanimously agreed to put their weight behind the motion submitted by Cllr David Hancock and Cllr Ross Shipman.
If successful, anglers, as well as the wider community, will have an opportunity to put forward the case for continuing fishing, which campaigners argue is important to the local community and beneficial to nature.
The decision to ban fishing has caused backlash from the angling community and local residents, who were not consulted on the plans to ban fishing and convert the lake into a ‘biodiversity hub’.
The Countryside Alliance, which campaigns for angling and rural communities, questioned the ‘bizarre move’ and queried the lack of transparency behind the decision-making process.
Its director of external affairs, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, argued the motion before councillors on Monday is an opportunity for NEDDC to reestablish ‘confidence and trust with the local community’.
He said: “It is clear this incredibly unpopular decision to ban fishing at the Wingerworth Lido was discussed by a handful of councillors and that there was no wider public consultation. Given the significance of the lido to the local community, this is deeply concerning and sets a worrying precedent about the future of other community assets.”
“Allowing local anglers to put forward their case, by supporting the motion to run a public consultation, is fair and democratic. I can see no valid reason why NEDDC’s ruling cabinet would oppose residents having a say, especially as they acknowledge the benefits of fishing to the local area and the strength of feeling within the community.”
In an earlier public statement, NEDDC claimed it had received ‘a number of complaints’ regarding Wingerworth Lido over recent years, some of which were directly related to fishing activities carried out by the angling club. The council has since confirmed to the Countryside Alliance that of the three ‘formal complaints’ made to it over a period spanning two and a half years, none resulted in any sanctions or warnings to the club.
“While any complaint should be taken seriously, citing ‘concerns raised by local residents’ is clearly no justification for implementing a ban, given that the very few complaints received have not resulted in a single case of formal action against the angling club, as they clearly lacked sufficient evidence or substance to warrant any follow-up or sanction,” Mr Metcalf-Fisher added.
Meanwhile, a petition calling for the reinstatement of fishing rights at the Wingerworth Lido by local angler James Duffy has amassed over 4,500 signatures.
Mr Duffy said: “Removing fishing from the Wingerworth Lido was a huge mistake and one that really hurts the local community, not least our young people. Nature at the lido thrives thanks to the efforts of local anglers. While it should never have been banned, the motion before councillors on Monday is an important opportunity for the council to right the wrongs and give us a fair opportunity to put forward the positive case for continuing fishing at the lido. The Council should want to hear from its residents and allow us a say in the future of community assets like the Wingerworth lido”.
