Agreement to return angling to beauty spot described as 'fantastic'

TENANCY AY LIDO SITE HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN OVER BIODIVERSITY CONCERNS BY COUNCIL

- By JON COOPER Local democracy reporter

Cllr Nigel Barker shakes hands with Clay Cross Angling Association chairperson Bill Parkin, centre left, at Wingerworth Lido

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.