The Angling Trust has welcomed a Derbyshire council’s decision to reconsider reinstating a fishing club’s licence for anglers at a popular beauty-spot after campaigners opposed the terminated tenancy arrangement.
Labour-controlled NE Derbyshire District Council recently voted by a majority for the withdrawn tenancy at the Wingerworth Lido for tenants Clay Cross Angling Association to be reconsidered at a scrutiny committee meeting as part of plans to preserve the popular pond as a biodiversity hub under the Friends of Wingerworth Lido community group.
The decision at a full council meeting on September 22 has been welcomed by the fishing club and the Angling Trust which has argued that there is no reason why angling clubs and wildlife groups cannot work together for the good of the environment.
Angling Trust Head of Policy, Martin Salter, said: “We will support Clay Cross Angling Society every inch of the way as we engage with the scrutiny process and hopefully come back with a sensible and balanced way forward that meets everyone’s concerns.
“Public waters like Wingerworth need anglers on there to help manage and care for the amenity otherwise you end up with poaching and chaos.”
The Angling Trust stated that it wrote to the council with a request to provide evidence in support of the club and their return to Wingerworth.
It claimed the council’s original’s decision was effectively acknowledged as ‘flawed’ and effectively led to a ‘ban’ on angling and the ‘eviction’ of the fishing club despite the council’s explanations this has been a tenancy non-renewal matter where due process was followed with correspondence, relevant councillors alerted, and time allowed for responses before submitting a ‘notice to quit’ to the fishing club.
Cllr Jayne Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Assets, said this had been a robust and considered process and at that time there had been no objections but the council remains open to public dialogue.
The council originally considered the tenancy as part of good practice for all its assets and it claims it did consult with relevant ward councillors and the angling club was notified before a decision to withdraw the tenancy and it was served a six-month notice.
Council Leader Nigel Barker said: “I would support what Cllr Barry said. I want to make it crystal clear that this council is not in any way anti-fishing. We accept the benefits of angling.”
Cllr Barker added that the council supports angling across the district but he pointed out that the Wingerworth Lido’s future was considered over a year ago and it has only recently become an issue.
Green Party member, Cllr Frank Adlington-Stringer, also said there has already been a process with opportunity to discuss the matter and he felt any issues could continue with the Friends of Wingerworth Lido and anyone who wishes to can join the group to engage on the lido’s future.
The council has claimed that it has received complaints from the community connected to angling at the lido but a Freedom of Information request revealed that between 2022 and June, 2025, there were only three formal complaints and seven concerns were raised with the council regarding the lido and the three formal complaints were all during July, 2024.
However, Clay Cross Angling Association Chairperson Bill Parkin revealed he was aware of two incidents involving two injured birds last year but these related to illegal anglers and he stressed the presence of authorised anglers helps to prevent these problems and allows the club to help any wildlife.
Following an amendment to Independent Cllr David Hancock’s motion for action, the council voted by an 89per cent majority for the matter to be considered by the Environment Scrutiny Committee, and that views be sought from concerned parties before recommendations were presented to the Asset Board Management before any final decision.
Cllr Hancock and fellow Independent Cllr Ross Shipman argued the anglers need an opportunity to have their say with a potential public consultation and they pointed out the positive benefits of fishing for anglers in terms of personal well-being and for the environment.
The Angling Trust voiced its latest concerns after angler James Duffy organised an online petition calling for the reinstatement of fishing rights at the Wingerworth Lido which has so far attracted over 5,000 signatures.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at Countryside Alliance, also questioned the council’s original decision and a ‘lack of transparency’ over the matter after the council refused to renew the angling club’s licence at the pond in June.
And Labour NE Derbyshire MP Louise Jones has also urged the council to find a way forward, with all views considered, that supports improving the biodiversity of the site as well as allowing for recreational use, according to the trust.
Derbyshire Angling Trust Coach, Steve Clamp, said: “There’s no reason why this bio-diversity hub and angling cannot co-exist at Wingerworth.
“Just look at the excellent partnership working in Derby where all the city council’s lakes are successfully managed by the local Earl Harrington Angling Club who have improved the aquatic environment in all the lakes for all wildlife and not just fish.
“Hopefully this new review will acknowledge this once the scrutiny committee has heard all the evidence.”
NE Derbyshire District Council has stated that its plans for Wingerworth Lido reflect a broader commitment to enhancing green spaces for wildlife and residents and the site will continue to be maintained.
It has also argued that the council had engaged with the fishing club early in the process ahead of any decision in line with terms of an agreement, and that six months notice was served for a managed exit with support to identify alternative locations for angling.
Clay Cross Angling Association Chairperson Mr Parkin said: “We are pleased that there appears to have been movement by the council and as a club we are committed to working to get our members back fishing and helping to look after Wingerworth Lido as quickly as possible.
“This is a lovely public facility and a place everyone should be able to enjoy.”
