THE Bury West Area Board meeting at St Stephen's CP School on April 20 was a lively affair. Many of the people present belonged to the "Friends" campaign group whose chief concern is the field of approximately 15 acres which is opposite to their properties in Waddington Close, Mitton Close and Gisburn Drive, Lowercroft.
Unfortunately this pressure group dominated the meeting, making reasonable debate impossible. Consequently, the chairman, Councillor Bob Bibby, is calling a further meeting on Thursday, May 6, at Lowercroft CP School specifically to discuss our planning applications for recreational fishing at Lowercroft (Whiteheads) and Elton Vale (Parkers).
In my application to Bury Council, a detailed letter explained the reasons why it was necessary to obtain car parking close to the water's edge on the middle reservoir at Lowercroft. If the people who made all the adverse comments that night had read my letter they may have had a better understanding of what is at stake.
In October 2004 all impounding reservoirs come under the control of the Environmental Agency. As the owners of the reservoirs we will be subjected to further financial demands from them in the interests of safety. As recreational angling is the only means of income for the reservoirs, it is essential to have better access and car parking in order to keep these reservoirs open.
Reservoirs are being filled in all over the country: indeed we need only look at Radcliffe to illustrate this point. In the final analysis the rental income from angling must cover the cost of maintenance and on-going repairs. If our separate planning applications are rejected by Bury Council then I fear the consequences for the reservoirs.
As a matter of safety the Environmental Agency will insist that repairs and renewals are carried out on reservoirs throughout the country. If we do not have an income from angling to cover those costs then the reservoirs will have to be closed off for safety reasons. As the area becomes more derelict, vandalism and destruction will follow and then, again in the interests of safety, the reservoirs will be filled in and culverted.
Planning officers from Bury Council have repeatedly told me that under no circumstances would the local authority take responsibility for the Lowercroft (Whiteheads) reservoirs. They regard these responsibilities as too onerous and that was the reason given for not adopting them in mid-2001 when Elton Cop closed their business in Bury.
Our plans provide for improved roadways, car parking and facilities for disabled anglers. The visitor centre at Elton Vale is a reflection of the changes taking place countrywide due to the rapid increase in commercial fisheries which offer better facilities for anglers.
Nothing stays the same for ever and we are trying to breathe new life into these magnificent waters. We want to preserve these waters for future generations.
To return to the group of people who dominated the meeting last Tuesday; their primary concern was to "Save the Lodges", to save them from being filled-in and from dereliction, and they are now seeking preservation of a 15-acre field at the back of their homes. Their objections would deny many people the pleasure of access to wonderful fishing and I feel that they are completely unreasonable.
It would be a very sad day if the people who set out to "Save the Lodges" were instrumental in the loss of these beautiful waters.
K. E. TALBOT,
Lowercroft Fisheries.
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