While all waters can suffer from cloudy water after wet weather, it usually clears up after a short time. However, for this fishery, cloudy water is now ever present, with clear water seen only a handful of times a year for a few hours each time. Other streams joining Whatley Brook (i.e. not coming from the quarry) do not suffer permanently cloudy water, nor do other streams nearby.
Since 2010, the estate owners have spent tens of thousands of pounds and many hours of hard graft (including by volunteers) improving the trout and coarse fishery and surrounding habitat. This was successful and the lake was “fishing well” by mid 2013. However, that expense and effort has been cast into doubt by the constant dirty grey water preventing fly fishing altogether. As a result, angling has declined, membership fees are down and the financial viability of the fishery is uncertain.
The Environment Agency is involved and continues to monitor the situation. Anglers fear that the fish may be adversely affected; including losing weight as feeding becomes more difficult.
If the decline continues, the area may become a derelict eyesore with potential for fly tipping and other deterioration.
The anglers want to work with the quarry for a permanent solution, but will not wait forever. Fish Legal’s letter refers to this and emphasises that court action would be a last resort, but one which it will pursue if its members’ rights continue to be ignored or dismissed.
Cameron Hogg, Solicitor for Fish Legal said:
“This isn’t about money for the anglers. While they have sustained losses which they wish to recover, they want their fishing back and the pollution must stop. The water has been unfishable for over 18 months. Hopefully the quarry will respond favourably and work with us for a speedy and permanent solution.”
John M A Powell, joint owner of Chantry Estate, said:
“We want the fishery to thrive with its new habitat, as it did before September 2013. However, it is hard to justify the running costs when anglers understandably stop paying memberships because fishing is impossible. The quarry has known about this for a long time and controls what comes from the quarry into our water. If no-one comes to fish, or do repairs, the grotto, stone waterfall, iron sluice gates, other Victorian engineering and recently improved habitat, will all just fall into disrepair. The water’s dull appearance is a concern, not only for fishing, but also the ecological health of the unique Victorian landscape which centres on the lake. We want our fishing back and don’t think that is unreasonable.”
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal said:
“Our members should not have to suffer losses because a big company is causing pollution of the water upstream of its fishery and we will fight to protect their interests to the courts if necessary. We are only able to take forthright action like this to protect fish and fishing because of the membership income we receive from our club, fishery and individual members each year.”
