Anger as Labour council imposes de facto ban on fishing at local lake.

A row has broken out after a Labour-led council imposed a 'de facto ban' on fishing at a local lake, by refusing to grant permission to anglers in the area.

North East Derbyshire District Council insists it has not banned fishing at the Wingerworth Lido, but admits in an official announcement to locals that there are "currently no permissions in place" for anyone to cast a line, ergo making the sport impossible.

Campaigners say the authority is hiding behind semantics as it pushes an ideological attempt to turn the site into a so-called "biodiversity hub".

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, the external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance said: "Claiming there isn't a ban on fishing, then denying a person the right to fish, is a de facto ban on fishing, however the council chose to dress it up. The council needs to stop delaying and get on with reinstating fishing at the lido quickly."

The Clay Cross Angling Association, which had fished at the site for decades, saw its lease terminated on June 30. There has been no replacement agreement offered, and therefore fishing has been halted indefinitely.

Local anger has erupted, with more than 5,100 people signing a petition to demand the decades-old rights are reinstated.

Independent councillor Ross Shipman branded the council's explanation "transparency theatre". He said "The Council insists 'fishing isn't banned'. Yet in the very next breath they claim there are no fishing rights for the Lido. If legally there are no fishing rights, then fishing is effectively prohibited. That's not a nuanced distinction, it's a contradiction dressed up as nuance."

He also pointed out various inconsistencies in the council's statement, noting that while official claims "all decisions are on hold" pending a review into the council's intention to turn the lido into a 'biodiversity hub', they are pressing ahead with forming a group to shape the site's future.

Mr Shipman said: "That sounds like moving ahead with new structures and plans, not a neutral holding position."

The council has defended its position, saying: "Contrary to claims circulating online, the Council has not banned fishing at Wingerworth Lido. The decision taken was to end the lease agreement with Clay Cross Angling Association (CCAA), which had expired and was due for review. This does not constitute a ban on angling."

But the authority admits: "As such, there are currently no permissions in place from the landowner (NEDDC) to undertake fishing activities at the Lido."

Critics say that amounts to a ban in all but name.

Local councillors will meet at the Environment Scrutiny Committee, which will decide the matter of permissions to fish the lido, on 17 November. A public consultation is due to follow, including the views of anglers, residents and the parish council.

In the meantime, campaigners argue the lake's long angling tradition is being destroyed, and fear the council is determined to sideline anglers.

Mr Shipman said the authority must "clarify fishing rights in plain, legal terms" and halt all new initiatives until the review is complete.