Council to review angling ban at lido after backlash

Wingerworth Lido first opened as an outdoor swimming area in 1934

A council's plan to turn a popular lake and its surroundings into a "biodiversity hub" and implement an angling ban is set to be reviewed.

North East Derbyshire District Council last month chose not to renew a five-year fishing licence for Wingerworth Lido, near Chesterfield, which left anglers without the right to fish at the lake.

But councillors have now agreed to review the decision at a future scrutiny panel following a backlash from anglers in the area.

Martin Salter, head of policy at the Angling Trust, said: "It's back to the drawing board for these fundamentally flawed plans to lock local anglers out of Wingerworth Lido."

The council also said last month it was looking to form a "Friends of Wingerworth Lido" group - a community-led initiative to "help shape the future" of space.

The lido was known as Smithy Pond when opened in 1934 as a recreational area for swimming, boating, and sunbathing.

It was auctioned off during World War Two and returned into council hands. It then became a popular fishing spot and walking area.

James Duffy, who has fished at the lido for the past 13 years, started an online petition against the ban which gathered more than 5,000 signatures.

The 36-year-old, from Chesterfield, is behind Big Duffs Fishing on social media, which has more than 40,000 followers across different platforms.

James Duffy said he feared more fishing spots could be lost

He previously said the decision not to renew the licence agreement with the Clay Cross Angling Association could harm the area as anglers help maintain the environment and encourage wildlife.

He told the BBC: "I think it's a huge step forward but I don't think we're out of the woods yet.

"We are very much closer than we were and it was great to see that so many of the councillors are actually backing this.

"I have had so many emails and calls - this is becoming a nationwide issue. People are telling me about how other anglers elsewhere lost their lake.

"I honestly think this has sparked a fire in people's bellies."

The Angling Trust said it had considered applying for a judicial review but following "extensive lobbying" and briefing of councillors there "now appears to be some real hope" angling will be able to return.

They said they had "highlighted numerous examples of joint working" between angling clubs and wildlife groups both nationally and in Derbyshire as evidence as to why there was "never any justification" for evicting the anglers.

A spokesperson for North East Derbyshire District Council said: "The matter has been referred for review through the Council's Environment Scrutiny Committee who will report on their findings in due course."