Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
The chairman of an angling club and a key campaigner behind the bid to return fishing to a Derbyshire beauty spot have both described a council decision to agree a short-term fishing licence as ‘fantastic’ after a long-running dispute.
North East Derbyshire District Council originally withdrew Clay Cross Angling Association’s tenancy at the Wingerworth Lido during concerns for the area’s biodiversity but following complaints from the angling club and some councillors, including Cllr Ross Shipman, its Environment Scrutiny Committee carried out a review and the council’s Cabinet voted for angling to return in the short-term and potentially in the long-term.
And the council has now formally announced that it has finally reached a constructive, short-term agreement with Clay Cross Angling Association – supported by the Angling Trust – for angling to recommence at Wingerworth Lido as the next phase of ecological work to protect and enhance the site is set to get underway.
Independent Cllr Shipman, who fought a long campaign for angling to be reinstated at the lido, said: “Fantastic news for local anglers and the wider community. After months of fighting against what many of us knew was a flawed process and a clear injustice, common sense has prevailed.”
The Labour-controlled district council originally issued a formal six-month ‘notice to quit’ in December, 2024, to the fishing club, after considering the views of its Asset Management Board and a letter was received from the club in January, 2025, acknowledging the correspondence, and the lease formally ended on June 30, 2025.
But the future of angling at the lido was reviewed after angler James Duffy organised an online petition for the reinstatement of fishing rights at the pond which attracted over 5,000 signatures and after Independent Councillors Ross Shipman and David Hancock raised concerns along with the Angling Trust and the Countryside Alliance.
The council agreed in September to review its original decision to withdraw the angling club’s tenancy and to launch a consultation due to growing public concern alongside the authority’s plans to improve biodiversity at the site and the Cabinet voted in December to approve the Environment Scrutiny committee’s recommendations including exploring interim arrangements to reinstate angling at the earliest opportunity.
Cllrs Shipman and Hancock had also claimed during the dispute that the council’s Asset Management Board had originally made a decision without a consultation and that the AMB had exceeded its powers in the decision-making process.
But Environment Scrutiny Committee Chairperson, Cllr Caroline Smith, said the committee was satisfied that the AMB’s decision-making process was compliant with the council’s constitution although the committee felt greater consideration could have been given to the users of the lido.
The Cabinet also voted for the council to provide training for councillors to better understand the process of the AMB and that in the future an annual ‘open’ report should come before Cabinet to highlight decisions made by the AMB.
Council officer Amy Bryan also told the meeting that the consultation had highlighted that 71per cent of respondents rated angling as important and that it also highlighted a range of other interests at the site including watching nature, fishing, wildlife watching and dog-walking.
Cllr Smith, previously stated there are very few people who think angling and biodiversity cannot work together at the lido but to achieve improvements there will need to be a collaborative approach with all interested parties including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Wingerworth Lido community group.
NE Derbyshire District Council stated that the licence has now been agreed following extensive listening and engagement with residents, environmental organisations and the angling community and it reflects the council’s commitment to finding a balanced way forward that supports both community recreation and nature recovery.
Bill Parkin, Chairman of Clay Cross Angling Association, said: “For over 25 years our members have put their heart and soul into caring for Wingerworth Lido, and it is fantastic that we can now put the past few months behind us and local people can once again enjoy fishing at this beautiful place.
“The public support we received in the recent consultation was tremendous and we are looking forward to working in partnership with NE Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the local community to make Wingerworth Lido a place for everyone to enjoy.”
The new licence includes clear, proportionate conditions designed to complement the emerging Biodiversity Improvement Plan for the Lido, according to the council, as safeguards to ensure angling can continue in a controlled way that protects wildlife and supports habitat recovery while a Biodiversity Improvement Plan is being developed.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Angling Trust played an important role in shaping the agreement, according to the council, and their independent expertise has helped bring together environmental and angling interests, demonstrating that biodiversity enhancement and responsible angling can work side by side.
Cllr Shipman added: “Clay Cross Angling Association have now signed a lease to take back management of Wingerworth Lido. This means the club can now work hand in hand with partners and the community to improve the local environment and restore the proud tradition of angling at the lido – a practice that has been part of the area since the 1940s.”
The Independent councillor thanked campaigner James Duffy, the Countyside Alliance, The Bigger Fish, and the Angling Times without whom Cllr Shipman claimed ‘none of this would have been possible’.
Cllr Shipman added: “The focus now turns to improving the lease going forward and ensuring that angling remains a viable and valued activity at Wingerworth Lido for many years to come.”
The council will shortly begin ecological surveys at Wingerworth Lido and the findings will inform a comprehensive Biodiversity Improvement Plan, setting out a long term approach to increasing biodiversity at the site and to also help inform the council on any future fishing licence arrangements.
District Council Leader, Cllr Nigel Barker, said: “There has been a lot of interest in what is happening at Wingerworth Lido, with strong opinions from all sides.
“For me, it has always been about balancing the statutory responsibilities of the council with activities that the community wants to see on the site.
“We’ve listened carefully to residents, local groups and expert organisations to find a practical way forward that works for people and for nature.
“By working closely with Clay Cross Angling Association, the Angling Trust and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, we have agreed a short term arrangement that supports biodiversity improvement while recognising the long standing value of angling as a positive community activity.
“The next stage is to carry out the ecological surveys and develop a Biodiversity Improvement Plan, and we look forward to working with residents and local groups to shape a shared, sustainable future for Wingerworth Lido.”
Hollie Fisher, Head of Consultancy at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said Wingerworth Lido has long been a part of the local landscape for wildlife and the community and the trust is pleased to be working with the council, local stakeholders and the community to help create a wilder space where people and nature can thrive together.
She added: “As a designated Local Wildlife Site, it’s crucial that the Lido is managed and restored in a way that supports the species that rely on it, while continuing to provide a valued community space.
“The ecological surveys we have planned for this spring will help develop an evidence-led restoration plan that prioritises biodiversity while remaining accessible and welcoming for visitors.
“Although the site’s ecological decline has been a concern, the council’s recent proposals for how it could be managed have sparked important conversations, demonstrating what is possible when communities come together.”
Jamie Cook, Chief Executive Officer of the Angling Trust, said the angling trust has been supporting Clay Cross Angling Association during dialogue with the council to agree options for the return of managed angling to Wingerworth Lido building on its experience of successful partnerships with wildlife trusts and angling on designated nature reserves.
Mr Cooke added: “We appreciate that the council has wider biodiversity objectives for Wingerworth Lido but these are in no way incompatible with sensibly managed recreational fishing.
“We have offered our assistance to both the club and council in organising community events at the Lido to introduce more people to the joys of fishing and to help them engage with nature.”
