03 Nov 2023
Controversy surrounds the installation of new fencing at a St Albans beauty spot on the doorstep of the rail freight terminal site.
Residents living near Frogmore Lakes were shocked to see parts of the country park had been fenced off by Verulam Angling Club, which leases the Moor Hill Fisheries site.
The area is used by children when feeding the ducks and by swans crossing from one lake to another.
The site is currently owned by rail freight developers Segro, following its sale by Tarmac earlier this year.
Local district councillor Nuala Webb told the St Albans Times: “I am appalled by the action of the Verulam Angling Club which has, without any apparent authorisation, put up this ugly, threatening fencing and cleared large areas around the lakes, felling trees and leaving the area looking desolate.
“This country park has been bought by Segro for the area as mitigation for the misery of the strategic rail freight terminal for the residents of the area, not for the angling club. It is not even clear if they still have a licence or permit to continue fishing as I have been told they had been given a notice to quit by Tarmac and had had no communication with the new landowners.
“’The Pits ‘ as they are known locally are one of the secret gems of St Albans. I had lived in St Albans over 20 years before I discovered them.
“They team with wildlife, provide runners, bikers and walkers love the many and varied paths round the lakes and up to the ‘Moor’ and skylark meadows.
“They are fantastic to watch the sunset from with the geese returning to splash down whooping onto the lake, and the trees turning bright green with parakeets.
“Each year we watch the swans and see how many cygnets they have managed to raise, and count the moorhens’ nests on the waterlilies.
“They were our comfort during Covid, and helped save the mental health of many in the area.
“It is a travesty to march ugly wire fencing round these beautiful places.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “Lafarge Redland left the area for the local communities to enjoy but this once beautiful place is beginning to look more like a prison camp.”
Barry Killinger, Verulam Angling Club fisheries manager, said: “I can categorically state that no fencing has been erected to prevent public access to the lakes at Moor Mill Fisheries.
“On health and safety grounds to our members and the dogs of members of the public we have simply erected low level fences and access gates to our swims. These gates will be unlocked at all times but does prevent dogs running into anglers tackle whilst they are fishing which has happened on numerous occasions. This work was discussed with Tarmac and St Stephen Parish Council two years ago but owing to covid and financial restraints was put on hold.
“To save any further misunderstanding we shall be erecting explanation signs along the footpaths to dispel any fears that the club is restricting access to the public.”
He said the club has not been officially informed about the sale of the land to Segro.
“We have had no communication from Tarmac and our agreement is still with Tarmac until June 2024 so until such time this is changed officially we still have to accept that Tarmac is our landlord.
“It is very frustrating at times as the lakes require an awful lot of work to maintain their status and ecological wellbeing into the future. We spend an awful lot of money on the fisheries every year including recent ecological surveys of the site but we are powerless to move forward until such time these matters are resolved.
“I have had minimal contact with Segro but feel confident that once things have been settled then we and the local community will reap the rewards of their ambitions for the whole of the countryside parklands in the area.
“We have ceased all further work with the gates and fencing until we have matters resolved. We hope that in doing so we can build bridges with some of the critics and to assure that our intentions are to protect not only our anglers but also members of the public and their dogs.
Cllr “David Yates, chair of St Stephen Parish Council said they held no official status with regards the lakes.
“Whilst individual councillors have discussed the maintenance of the area in the past, the parish council neither has the authority to approve, nor has indicated support for, any specific maintenance activity.
“The parish council is, therefore, disturbed to see that fences are being erected without planning permission in this Green Belt location in contravention of the National Planning Policy Framework.
“It will be referring the matter to planning enforcement at the district council.”
Segro has washed its hands of the whole affair. A spokesperson said: “Moor Mill Fishery has confirmed that low-level fencing was installed last week at Frogmore Lakes. Segro was not involved with the work undertaken by the fishing club, which was based upon an agreement we understand they already had with previous land owners.”
