Anglers and residents in Derbyshire have voted overwhelmingly to reinstate fishing at the Wingerworth Lido.
The public have made their voices heard over North East Derbyshire District Council’s plan to ban fishing at the popular lake near Chesterfield and turn the area into a “biodiversity hub”.
In June, the authority chose not to renew a five-year fishing licence for Wingerworth Lido, which left anglers without the right to fish at the lake.
But after a public consultation, urged for by local anglers, supportive councillors and the Countryside Alliance, 70 per cent of respondents supported a return to fishing, the highest of any option available.
The original decision by the local Labour-controlled authority to ban fishing caused huge backlash from the angling community and residents, who were not consulted about the plans to ban fishing and who could face a fine of up to £2,500 if they use the lake for their sport.
The recent public consultation generated an “exceptionally high level of engagement”, according to North East Derbyshire District Council, with 1,174 people taking part locally and from further afield.
Many respondents credited anglers and the Clay Cross Angling Association with maintaining the Lido, supporting biodiversity, and providing social and mental health benefits.
James Duffy fished at the Lido for more than 13 years and is the founder of Big Duffs Fishing on social media, which has more than 40,000 followers across different platforms.
He created an online petition to oppose the angling ban which attracted over 5,500 signatures.In response to the public consultation, he said: “Sometimes you need shout to be heard. Throughout this entire process, the angling community have only asked for dialogue and understanding.
“Angling does such a huge amount to enhance biodiversity, while also providing many people, including a growing number of youngsters, with a positive, peaceful outlet to relax and unwind.
In June, the council chose not to renew a five-year fishing licence for Wingerworth Lido
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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
“The mental health benefits are well documented and it’s an activity the council should be actively encouraging and promoting, not restricting”.
When GB News spoke to him in August about the ban, he said that generations have fished in the lake and questioned the reason behind the ban.
“There’s plenty of birdlife and it’s enriched with fish [in the lake] and all the plant life that grows here, so I don’t understand how this isn’t already a biodiversity hub”, he said.
“This has been a fishing lake for a long, long time and I’m absolutely devastated [about the fishing ban].
“These clubs offer reasonably cheap tickets and in a world now where everything is so expensive, to start removing cheap access to things, like the Wingerworth Lido where we’re stood now, is a huge disappointment.”
Wingerworth Lido was originally known as Smithy Pond and opened in 1934 as a recreational area for swimming, boating, and sunbathing.
Locals are campaigning for the reinstatement of fishing at Wingerworth Lido
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COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE
During World War Two, it returned into council hands and became a popular fishing spot and walking area.
Organisations including the Countryside Alliance and Angling Trust submitted formal responses to the consultation on behalf of their collective members and supporters, with the Angling Trust debunking a number of incorrect claims made about fishing activity and advancing the environmental case for fishing.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance said: “The consultation responses have made clear what we all already knew – that angling is supported by the vast bulk people because of the raft of benefits, both social and environmental, that come with it.
“There was never any justification for banning angling and it’s absolutely vital, in the interest of democracy, that the council listen to the people and reinstate the activity immediately”.
“It is demonstrably wrong for the council to continue referring to angling as a ‘divisive’ activity, it is the exact opposite”.
In justifying the angling ban, the council claimed they had a received “a number of complaints” regarding Wingerworth Lido over recent years, some of which were directly related to fishing activities carried out by the angling club.
After querying the ‘complaints’ using the Freedom of Information Act, the council was forced to confirm to the Countryside Alliance that of the three ‘formal complaints’ made over a period spanning two and a half years, none were upheld.
Dominic Webb, a local resident, angler and businessman commented on this and said: “The many spurious allegations against the club and angling as a national pastime are entirely discredited and the Council cannot overturn the binding views of the Police or the Environment Agency in these matters, not matter how loud a misguided few shout.
“Like everyone, I look forward to reading the environment scrutiny committees recommendations that must include fishing being restored.
“The alternative is the council proceeding against the wishes of the vast majority of the public and on a legal unsound basis.
“By definition, the public have given the council a clear and unambiguous mandate to reinstate fishing without delay.”
The council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee will meet to discuss the consultation responses and review the evidence at a meeting on Monday 8 December 2025.
Commenting on the consultation responses, Wingerworth councillor Ross Shipman (Independent), said: “One of the strongest messages from the community was the desire to see angling return to the Lido- this is not up for debate.
“It’s important to say this: angling and biodiversity can work hand in hand, creating a healthier, sustainable and enjoyable space for local people”.
“The community has made its wishes clear – now its up to the District Council to deliver what residents have asked for and facilitate conversations with all groups to allow angling and improve wildlife across the site”.
The Save the Wingerworth Lido petition now has more than 5,300 signatures and can be found here.
