Anglers brand council's fishing ban 'baffling'

Angler James Duffy said people who fished at Wingerworth Lido took pride in looking after their surroundings

Anglers have hit out at a council's plan to turn a popular lake and its surroundings into a "biodiversity hub" and implement an angling ban.

North East Derbyshire District Council has chosen not to renew a five-year fishing licence at Wingerworth Lido, near Chesterfield, leaving anglers without the right to fish at the lake.

But anglers in the area have said the council's decision could end up harming the area and stress they help to look after the lido to encourage wildlife.

The council said it recognised the concerns but was committed to protecting the environment.

The authority has urged people to refrain from fishing at the lake, while work to install new signage takes place.

It added this was "a vital step in promoting the area as a biodiversity hub - a safe space for wildlife to thrive".

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

Wingerworth Lido first opened as an outdoor swimming area in 1934

Originally known as Smithy Pond, the lido was a recreational area that opened in 1934 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, told the BBC the council's decision did not make sense.

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

He told the BBC the decision not to renew the licence agreement with the Clay Cross Angling Association could make the area worse.

"I was extremely disappointed when I first heard about it," he said.

"I've spent many happy years here, friends who fish on here and I just think it is a real shame for the lake, especially with the effort the angling club have put into it over the years.

"Anglers look after the water quality and the surrounding area - this lake a number of years ago looked like a football pitch - 90% of the lake was covered in invasive weeds and there wasn't a lot of wildlife on here - if any."

James Duffy said he feared more places where people fished could be lost

Mr Duffy said he now feared other fishing spots could be under threat - reducing opportunities to embrace a pastime that was "brilliant" for mental health.

"The NHS even prescribe people fishing as a form of therapy, there's been a big push because it is so tranquil for the mind," he said.

"I'm a big advocate of getting young people interested in it and they've taken that away. This gets them out and off the PlayStation and into nature.

"This is not the first lake we've lost in this area, I fear this could continue."

Mr Duffy urged officers at the council to meet anglers to hear their concerns.

"They need to look at how many people they have let down - come out tell us properly why they have taken this decision... there's zero detail in this plan," he said.

"It's got to be worth getting some key people into a room and let people have their point of view."

'Disgusting'

Richard Townsend, from Staveley, is a former bailiff at the lido - a role which involves protecting the water and enforcing rules around fishing.

He said the council's decision was "baffling" and echoed calls for officials to meet anglers in the area.

The 43-year-old added he feared the lido could go the same way as others which have banned fishing and turn the lido into a "sea of weeds which kill the fish".

"Our main focus is the care of the fish and the surrounding wildlife which uses the lido itself and all we want to do is preserve the right to fish on the lido," he said.

"We have so much knowledge of what goes on under the water - the carp flourish off our bait and good conditions for what's in the water helps them and helps us... people misunderstand angling.

"It's disgusting - this place has been part of our angling community for many years and they've taken it away from us."

A spokesperson for the council said: "The previous five-year licence agreement with the angling association has come to a natural end and we've decided not to renew this.

"While we recognise the angling community's concerns, we are looking at new management arrangements at Wingerworth Lido which reflect the council's commitment to enhancing local wildlife and protecting the environment, as set out in our council plan.

"The council has always retained responsibility for maintaining the Lido, and that will continue."