Newport fishery may open to holiday-makers
One of the only specialist catfish and carp fisheries in the Midlands could be expanded with holiday lets under new plans.
Field Aston Fishery, in Newport, spans for six acres, with two stock ponds, and is currently managed as a syndicate with some winter day ticket sales.
New plans could see five timber lodges for visitor accommodation, a timber lodge for use as a cafe and a replacement rural workers chalet.
There will also be the equivalent of three full-time jobs created within six years under the plans, submitted by Angling Couture.
The site has been up for sale for £325,000 since 2015, with estate agents saying that there was "significant demand" for catfish fishing in the area.
Agent Helen Howie, from Berrys in Shrewsbury, said: "The site currently operates with a syndicate of 40 persons, each of whom pays an annual charge of £350, yielding a net annual income of £14,000.
"This represents a 4.3 per cent return on the site’s capital value, which is estimated at £325,000.
"However when the running costs of the site and its management are factored in, the current enterprise is not viable.
"The proposals will retain the existing angling at the lake and widen the number of users through the provision of day tickets and visitor accommodation."
But far from reducing the quality of fishing in the area, Ms Howie said her client hopes to improve the entire operation of the fishery.
She said: "The applicant Darren Hilton has an established business and has a very good understanding of carp rearing and fishing and intends to improve the management of the fishery to maximise the size of the carp and catfish available.
"He aims to make the site viable by extending the offer available at the site to include a café and holiday accommodation.
"These will be provided in attractive wooden chalets designed to blend in with the natural surroundings.
"The café will cater for existing users and encourage day visitors, while the holiday accommodation will encourage longer stay visitors."
The new additions will bring money into the local economy and will help protect a rural business, Ms Howie said.
"The proposals help secure the future viability of this rural enterprise," she said.
"The five holiday lodges will bring visitors into the local economy, increasing expenditure on a range of services and facilities.
"This will benefit a number of local public houses and restaurants, for example the Wheatsheaf Inn in Chetwynd Aston and the Fox public house and the Norwood House Hotel and restaurant in Pave Lane.
"Visitors are also likely to spend in shops and local facilities in Newport."
Ms Howie said that the plans would not only benefit veteran fishers, but that training sessions would be held for budding enthusiasts.
The cafe could be used for icing and cooking classes, and there are plans to open up the facility to groups looking for somewhere to meet.
Telford & Wrekin Council will make their decision on the plans within the coming months.