PE196 - TO PROVIDE LOCAL YOUNGSTERS WITH FREE ANGLING
| Published: 25th February 2008 17:48 |
PE196 was formed to allow free fishing to under sixteen year olds, who live within Little Paxton.
My original plan was to purchase the fishing rights from the land owners Lafarge. I would then allow the village under 16's free fishing on the lake. Any adults, parents or guardians would be offered a family permit, by one adult purchasing a permit the whole family would be granted fishing rights, this would include visiting relatives & friends, in order to reduce the need for day tickets, cost and the organization that is required to support.
Unfortunately for all the residents of Little Paxton the group charged with managing the site, have obtained the fishing rights and have decided to reduce access and use of the area to residents. Any concerns of local people, remains undocumented and have been put down as a small minority. By forming PE196 we have started to have some dialogue with the management group. The parish council and our County councilor have been very supportive of our attempts to extend activities to younger residents. The discussions have now stalled, a meeting planned for August 2007 never happened and NO date has been set to meet residents to discuss concerns or management plans. At present the initial group of fifty members have been granted access to two fishing spots and NO more.
A portion of the area has been designated as a SSSI. PE196 requested a visit by Natural England (formally English Nature) SSSI representative. On our tour of the site we received a comprehensive insight into how this designation could affect local use, however angling would not have a detrimental effect on any of the protected species in the area. Being very diplomatic the representative did state the area appeared to be over managed, our phrase was mis-managed but we do accept the statement.
PE196 members met and one of the points raised and agreed, was to set up a petition, which will shortly be available throughout the village, this will suggest the management have more negotiation with the parish council and more access/use of the LNR (local nature reserve) for the residents.
For further information, to sign the petition and to voice your opinions please visit www.pe196.piczo.com
Community Comment:
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Thank you very much for getting our message to the wider community
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