Anglers caught out by fishing ban at Goldendale Pool in Tunstall
ANGLERS have been banned from fishing at a popular pool.
The order means people walking or fishing at Goldendale Pool, in Tunstall will now be trespassing on the site.
Landowner Russell Porter today admitted he has plans for the land off Reginald Mitchell Way and is currently carrying out work to create access for vehicles to the site.
The 43-year-old, of Newcastle, who refused to divulge details of the plans, said: "I would just like to ask fishermen to be patient.
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"The site is all overgrown and has been untouched for years, so at the moment we are working to clear part of the land.
"I want to work with the anglers and I understand they are frustrated but they have to appreciate that this is something I want to do.
"We have never had an agreement with the anglers to allow them to use the pool, so I hope they can also appreciate that it is private land and that their needs are secondary.
"I am working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to ensure the work which is being carried out is all above board because part of the land is within a conservation area." Work carried out so far includes felling a row of trees and erecting a sign warning users that the site is out of bounds.
It is not yet known when, or if, fishing will resume, but Mr Porter admitted it will be at least after Christmas.
Now pool visitors fear the pond could be filled in or the area turned into a marina for boats.
Jeff Bradbury, of Fenton, who uses the site for walks, said: "Goldendale Pool is a very popular fishing venue which holds a substantial stock of large, high quality fish.
"It looks to me like preparatory work is underway to fill the pool in.
"The pool is a picturesque refuge for nature and a valuable and pleasant asset to this part of the city so I want to know if it is at risk of being destroyed."
The move comes three years after a teenager died in a swimming accident at the site.
Eighteen-year-old Damien Brian drowned in the pool after getting into difficulties while attempting to swim to the other side. The former James Brindley Science College pupil, of Machin Street, Tunstall, attempted the swim with a group of friends, but got into difficulty and disappeared under the water after his legs got tangled in weeds.
City council planning officers are monitoring developments at the site.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: "We visited the site on Tuesday and examined the work done so far.
"The work which has been done has cleared the existing pathways, and there is no evidence of any unauthorised work that would require planning permission.
"There are several small trees that have been felled, however, they appear to be outside the conservation area, and don't need permission to be cut down."
Comments
by byron
Thursday, September 13 2012, 5:23PM
“could some one please keep me informed on what happens to the lake via email (byze@hotmail.co.uk) im currently in afghanistan till march and would be gutted if its been filled in or i can't fish it when i get back. byron.”
by topcarper
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:41PM
“The council could buy this land, tidy it up and charge people for the right to fish there.”
by topcarper
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:38PM
“If this land is for sale it's the council that should be buying it for the public, not developers, there is plenty of land in need of development in Stke-on-Trent, it would make no sense at all.”
by topcarper
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:36PM
“Places of beauty are few and far between in Stoke-on-Trent, it should be tided up and run as a nature reserve. As for the fish I hope if it does end up being filled in that Mr porter will remove the fish stock safely from the pool as Mr Bradbury is absolutly correct, carp to forty pounds in weight have been caught and still reside in this pool, the largest carp in there is infact one of very largest ( within a few pounds or so) in the Northwest of England. A good weight for a carp in the Northwest of England is only twenty pounds in weight. If the lake is to be filled in I would like to think the council would be present whilst all Stocks were removed, Westport Lake would be the ideal destination as it is believed to be on the same water table and it is very near by which would aid getting the Specimen fish to their new home safely and as stress free as possible. Westport Lake is controlled by Middleport A.C.”
by paulmogan
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:05PM
“Quote- My bet is the land will be sold off to St Modwen now that access to the site has been made so they can build another monstrosity on it." Quote. Why would they want to build another Brittania stadium?”
by I_Norris
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:03PM
“If its been used as a right and acces not restricted. It could become a village green”
by britpark
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:47AM
“All sounds a bit fishy to me!”
by WebMonkey1
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:11AM
“Oh, and after this happened earlier this year, who knows what damage to to eco system they're going to do. http://tinyurl.com/6qu6e55”
by WebMonkey1
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:07AM
“Thanks to the Sentinel for investigating this. Although a few of anglers treat this place as a dumping ground, not all do, and as a none-angler, it really is a place of beauty.
http://tinyurl.com/bwt3uzu
http://tinyurl.com/crahccv”
by GilbertL
Thursday, September 06 2012, 9:54AM
“Several small trees have been felled on this site? Does this not include the area of the old railway line trackbed that runs right past the pool then? The old trackbed has been completely cleared... not just a few trees felled along there... everything is completely gone. It's like they're going to put a new railway line in! But I doubt they will. My bet is the land will be sold off to St Modwen now that access to the site has been made so they can build another monstrosity on it.”