Plans to expand Aldridge fishery with cafe and holiday lets are refused
An Aldridge fishery’s bid to create new lakes and other facilities to meet growing demand has been sunk by planners.
Foxhill Fishery, off Pinfold Lane, wanted to create three new fishing lakes, along with erecting a new building which would house a new café, five holiday lets, shower and toilet facilities.
Representatives said they also wanted to extend the existing children’s fishing lake, adding that the development could have created up to eight new jobs.
But Walsall Council planning officers refused planning permission citing reasons including the potential harm it could cause to the Green Belt and Great Barr Conservation Area it sits in.
Other reasons included a lack of information on an acceptable drainage strategy, impact on species and potential impact on traffic.
Agent Iain Denton said: “In recent times the number of fishing pegs have had to be reduced because of inadequate car parking space.
“At present there are 36 pegs on three lakes and only 20 car parking spaces. Demand does however remain high.
“Our clients propose to create three new fishing lake and to extend a small existing children’s fishing lake.
“They further propose to erect a building onsite, ancillary to the lakes, and housing a café, bait shop, showers, toilets and five holiday lets.
“Their aim for the future is to cater for families, people with disabilities, children and new starters.
“Our clients have found that 50 per cent of anglers are big fish carp anglers and the other 50 per cent like to pleasure-fish."
Mr Denton went on to explain that the current pools are not large enough to meet everyone's needs.
He added: "The proposed lake design would allow our clients to hold matches, and to section off an area for children.
“With 40 to 50 per cent of anglers now choosing to big carp fish, our clients propose 16 to 18 pegs on a couple of specimen pools.
“Anglers like plenty of space when fishing for bigger fish, and big carp anglers bring a lot of tackle with them.
“The proposals allow for 16 car parking spaces closer to the pools and two pegs where vehicular access can be gained for disabled anglers.
“Before matches, most anglers will meet at café and draw pegs before driving to the match pool. 25 or 30 car spaces have therefore been proposed close to café.
“It is anticipated that the proposals will create six to eight new jobs, and no alteration to the existing vehicular access is proposed.”
