Public meeting over Roswell Pits marina

Plans to turn Roswell Pits into a marina will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday.

The famed predator water on the outskirts of Ely, Cambs, has been bought by businessman Jeremy Tyrrell, who wants to re-open disused moorings to create a haven for narrowboats.

But anglers and conservationists are fearful of the impact the plan could have on the lakes, which are connected to the Great Ouse at Foremill Wash.

Now a group called Local Campaigners for the Protection of Rural Ely (LCPRE) is holding a public meeting to discuss the future of the venue.

Mr Tyrrell is already in a stand-off with Ely Sailing Club over access to Roswell, which is also boat fished by pike and zander anglers.

Dr Andrew Balmford, a member of LCPRE, told the Cambridge Evening News: "We have not had a public debate on the future of the site, so we are creating a forum to begin initiating that."

Campaigners are meeting at the City of Ely Community College at 8pm. For further details, call Dr Sarah Hall on 07791 512296.

***How the controversy unfolded - click here. For coverage in local paper the Ely Standard click here.

Fens club set for "crisis meeting"

One of the biggest clubs in the Fens is in turmoil, members learned today.

Ely Beet Club, which controls around three miles of the Great Ouse downstream of the city, as well as former record zander water Roswell Pits, is holding what is being described as a crisis meeting on Friday, December 15.

In a letter to members, secretary Elaine Pullar writes: "Your fishing section committee is made up of three volunteers and could possibly collapse due to Paul Verdon stepping down.

"We need you to come along and listen to what is being proposed by the fishing committee and the management committee. This will be your opportunity to be aware of what is being proposed.

"If the fishing committee does not get support on the evening then the management committee will have to make decisions based upon a financial impact which could affect the amount of waters being made available."

Uncertainty has surrounded the future of Roswell since it was sold to a property developer by the charity which owned it earlier this year.

Speculation is rife that parts of the pits could be transformed into a marina and the new owner has not so far commented on whether fishing has future on the water, which has produced record zander and pike nudging 30lbs in the past.

Roswell - MP backs marina plan

The war of words over the future of legendary Fens predator water Roswell Pits is hotting up after local MP Jim Paice said he supports the new owner's plans to develop the water. But conservationists fear the move will damage the lakes' unique habitat. More here.

New war of words over Roswell Pits

The new owner of a famed pike and zander fishery in the Fens is in a legal stand-off over navigation rights to the water.

Jeremy Tyrrell wants to re-open disused moorings on Roswell Pits, on the outskirts of Ely, Cambs, to create a marina for narrowboats.

But Ely Sailing Club has threatened legal action, claiming their lease gives them sole navigation rights to the water.

Where this leaves anglers is anyone's guess. For while boat fishing is permitted on the water, there have been rows over access to the slipway and while powered craft will be able to access the pits from the nearby River Ouse, anglers are only permitted to fish from rowing boats by the controlling Ely Beet Club..

Opposition growing to Roswell Pits plan

Opposition is mounting to plans to turn famous Fens predator water Roswell Pits into a marina, say local press reports today. More here.

Marina fear over Fens predator haven

A scientist is leading calls to conserve the character of a wildlife haven and predator fishery as work on a new marina begins.

Jalsea Marine plans to make 50 moorings available for narrowboats at Roswell Pits on the outskirts of Ely, Cambs.

In a recent magazine interview, its managing director was reported as suggesting up to 500 moorings could eventually come to the area, the Cambridge Evening News reports tonight.

Dr Andrew Balmford, who works as a conservation scientist at Cambridge University, said he feared the development could harm wildlife and damage a natural resource used by many local people.

"Talk about putting in 500 boats as a long-term plan really frightens me," he told the paper.

"It is an important site for wildlife - one of the most important in Cambridgeshire. It is used by kingfishers and also by rare marsh harriers.

"Roswell Pits are also used by lots of people in Ely - it is the last bit of nature around the city and is used by walkers, joggers and fishermen, who may all have to use cars to get to other sites in the future.

"The whole character of the place will be changed. People use it now because it is tranquil."

Click here for more.

Litter and setlines - Fen club hits out

Ely Beet Club controls a prime stretch of the Ouse downstream of Cromwell's city and the once legendary Roswell Pits. Officials have told their local paper an irresponsible minority who leave litter or even illegal setlines are ruining their waters for everyone. Click here.

Lakes' new owner revealed

Roswell Pits, a popular predator venue on the outskirts of Ely, Cambs, has been bought by two brothers who run a marina in the city.

Jeremy and Michael Tyrrell, who run Jalsea Marine, are believed to have had to bid considerably higher than the £225,000 asking price set by former owners the Thomas Parsons Charity.

In a joint statement the charity and Jalsea Marine announced that an agreement had been reached and the company expected to develop the pits facility with "a strong boating/community orientation".

It went on: "We are very pleased with this acquisition which will complete and start operations in September.

"Development plans are all subject to planning permission, commercial constraints and market trends but we believe there will be room for existing and new uses of benefit to the community as a whole."

The brothers, who bought the nine-acre Ely Marina for £2.5 million earlier this year, have refused to comment further on their plans for the lakes or whether fishing features in them.

The former clay pits, which were dug during the late 19th and early 20th Century to provide clay to build up the banks of the nearby River Ouse, are popular with predator anglers and over the years have produced pike nudging 30lbs and a string of large zander.