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We have received the following press release from Chivers Farms:
Chivers Farms is pleased to announce that Cawcutts Lake has been leased to Embryo Angling Habitats. Their aim is to provide exceptional venues run as affordable fisheries with local anglers in mind, offering safe, natural environments in which to fish.
Over the next couple of weeks Embryo Angling will be installing a perimeter fence around Cawcutts Lake to provide protection against predation of the fish, primarily from otters. At the same time Chivers Farms has decided to formalise the existing informal public access arrangements by creating a Permissive Right of Way around the lake which will be located between the new otter fence and the perimeter boundary. This right of way will be accessed off Bridge Road at the entrance to the Holiday Inn and will be well signed at this point with details of the permissive route.
We consider that the input of Embryo Angling will significantly enhance the overall appearance of the lake and the changes proposed will allow local residents to benefit from legitimate and safe access around the lake and at the same time provide well managed fishing for those interested.
Anyone interested in finding out more about fishing the lake, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2016 should contact Tim@embryoangling.org
Starving the Otters is not a great.
Where is Cawcutts Lake?
Cawcutts Lake is behind the Holiday Inn – north of, and visible from, the A14 on the way to Milton
Oh the lake by the busway. Thanks. Despite being wedged between the busway and the A14, it’s happily undisturbed. Sometimes I take a walk round it in the morning, I meet others doing the same.
Now we can all enjoy it! “Darling, I’m just going to safe and legitimate access the dog around the perimeter fence around the otter fence around the lake.”
Poor otters! What are they going to do now?
I’m actually really disappointed about this. Would have been nice to leave it as a natural habitat. Still, where there’s money to be made, eh.
Personally I think it is shame that the lake will be fenced off to the public. We have loved walking the dog around there and letting her paddle in the shallow waters.
As for the fence…..I had seen on other forums it is not to keep the fish safe from otters but to keep them safe from none paying customers!
Has anyone ever seen an otter anywhere near this part of the world, nearer than Wicken Fen where they may have seen signs?
Yes – in the Cam at Waterbeach
I have been walking my dogs round this lake for 20 years at many different times of the day and night and not once have I ever seen any otters. There used to be a couple of Terrapins living around the lake. Also a lot of Crayfish. That have now since been reaped out of the lake. I hope they have plenty of money to spend on this because once the nice weather comes back. The kids will trash what has been put up. Saw this happen with the adventure place that was placed on Holiday inn’s field. Plus the motorbikes that tear around there and think they own the place. Do people still have access from the guided bus way also? As I know people from the Arbury walk the guided busway to gain access to the lake.
As far as im aware us dog walkers will still be able to walk round. But as for my dogs being able to have a swim looks like that has now been taken away from us.
Its always us dog walkers that lose out. We are the ones that walk or dogs round there 365 days of the year come rain or shine and now we are being restricted from such a naturally rare and beautiful part of Cambridge.
Well perhaps the ‘otter fence’, really ! and the presence of the fishing syndicate will protect the desperately sad pair of mature breeding swans, who, over the last two years have lost, almost overnight a number of large signets. I wonder where those beautiful, graceful birds go !!!***
April, dogs, otters not seen ever wondered why?
Plenty of Otters around the North side of Cambridge, the Cam has plenty, but again difficult to see if you are walking dogs.
Sadly the rise and rise of the Otter means many angling clubs will need to protect their fish stocks with fences. I have observed Otters in many parts of the country and am always thrilled to see them, but not in carefully managed lakes.
i have walked round the lake on and off for over 35 years and never seen any otters. i walk my dogs every day they love there daily swims which is now being taken away from us. i was the person who called the rspca about the swans. the rspca took all of them off the lake as they got really sick. he seems to think it could have been led poison 3 of the signets died. its not children that have messed the lake up its adults going to the lake drinking and leaving all there rubbish they should be ashamed they are the ones that have messed it up for all the people that enjoy the lake big big sham
I frequent the lake and have done so for a couple of years. I have, on more than one occasion picked up, and binned other peoples rubbish which they feel is perfectly ok to leave for someone else to clear up or just leave it for the rubbish fairies.
Had a massive clear out of the the lake and backside with four other members, shame how people leave this lake … Looking forward to the future on Cawcutts with Embryo Angling !!
Walked round yesterday and it looked like a prison site how can they claim that is enhancing the scenery! Yet another example of restriction of free space for all for the sake of a few.
Two very disappointed dog walkers from Cottenham who have always thought this a lovely local walk
I’m surprised no dogs have been taken by the huge pike in Cawctts lake. Dog walkers can still walk their dogs it seems but between the new otter fence and the outer boundary. So walkies are ok but no swimmies!
i must admit the fence is ugly and its a shame we cant get to the water so the dogs can swim. you have 2 groups to blame 1 is chivers for letting the europeans to camp and leave all there rubbish every weekend last summer and not doing anything about it and then you have the europeans so its the few who have spoilt it for everyone. i have to say all the men working on the fence have been very nice
It looks hideous and in no way does it “significantly enhance the overall appearance of the lake”. Figured it had to be about commercialising something locals (mistakenly) believed they were free to use. Pity it couldn’t have been bought and preserved as it was for people to enjoy without the prison compound feel.
Great news that the lake is being looked after. I’m sick of seeing litter and dog shit everywhere. Hope they ban dogs also.
well owen budd i think your comments are bang out of order most dog walkers pick there dog shit up we also pick other peoples rubbish up as well and take to a bin dont tar us all with the same brush what about when people who fish on the lake and leave fishing line all over the place for the wildlife to get injured and what about the poor rabbit that got stuck in the fence and died a slow death perhaps thats ok
Truth hurts. I’d like to believe most dog owners clear up after their dogs, however, I spend a lot of time walking and cycling in the countryside and often see the dispicable piles of shit. I’d be keen to help tackle the problem. Perhaps strict fines should be used. Name and shame the individuals. I recently spent some time on my paddle board clearing fishing tackle from overhanging trees at Milton country park – I’m happy to do the same at impington lake. I’m not sure how the rabbit was caught in the fence but overall the fence should keep out unwanted guests. Angling clubs in general do a great job at stocking waters with fish and maintaining the environment. Keep up the good work Linda. Cheers Owen Budd
I have to agree with the above comments. Whilst walking my dog I have on more than one occasion collected carrier bags full of rubbish, broken beer bottles, bbq trays, even rotting food (and my dogs poo) left by members of the local area. I realise that not everyone likes animals/dogs but it is a shame that some people have such insular, extreme and inflexible views. Oh well its seems that’s human nature ……….
Keep up the good work Linda.
owen why dont you organise some dog bins you sound really keen to help sort out the problem why are you putting all the blame on dog walkers you clearly dont like dogs but please remember they bring people a lot of pleasure and comfort the rabbit got its head stuck in the fence trying to get to the water the fence is horrible and has done nothing to enhance the landscape by the way the lake was full of fish but they were all taken out by the angling club that has leased the lake in march i watched them doing it to be replaced with carp
I suspect the angling club will install bins if dogs are allowed near the lake, however the irresponsible dog owners don’t use the bins. I love dogs but get frustrated with irresponsible dog owners. Perhaps we should introduce dung Beatles :-). Perhaps the local dog warden can get involved.
All this talk about litter and dog mess is completely irrelevant, the fact of the matter is that Chivers Farms (I suspect with the complete compliance and backing of the parish council) have allowed what is an amazing local asset and beauty spot to be cordoned off by an intrusive perimeter fence for a little less hassle and most likely a bit of profit. The lake itself is now mostly inaccessible for anyone who would otherwise have been able to enjoy the water. The introduction of Embryo Angling Habitats and their ridiculous “Otter” fence will affect anyone and everyone who used to enjoy the lake (unless of course their a paying customer). Walkers, joggers and cyclists are now confined in places to a narrow walk way alongside a 5 foot galvanized mesh fence, which I very much doubt will be properly maintained by the angling club. The banks are now out of reach to any non-member wanting to enjoy a barbecue on a summer’s day, let their dog have a swim or even just sit next to the water’s edge. Even the model boat club that have congregated near the jetty on a weekend for years have been turfed out. This fence in all honesty is a complete eye sore, much worse than any litter left around by revellers from the day or night before. The whole thing is a real shame and as previous commenters have said it’s just another restriction of local open space at the detriment of the many.
The Parish Council has regular conversations with Chivers about all that goes on in the villages. As part of those discussions they have consistently advised they would not be willing to implement a right of way around their private property.
However at one of these meetings this year they advised us of their plans to put in a fishing lake at Cawcutts Lake and at the same time to provide a permissive footpath.
The Parish Council recognised their right to do that and was pleased to have the fomalisation of public access to the area around it.
Chivers have kept us informed on what is going on at all times, which is how we were able to announce what was happening on our website.
I don’t believe the angling club have any intention of doing anything to upkeep the tight penitentiary walk they have created for people who used to enjoy walking round the lake . I was told by one of the anglers when I complained about the state they had left this in that this is Chivers responsibility, nothing to do with them. I doubt this, and I also have doubts if the scale of the oppressive fencing is legal in common law as I suspect there will be some public access rights otherwise the new tenants wouldn’t have let anyone near the site. The fence is also clearly to keep people out not otters they are much higher than the fences they show on their website and has anyone ever seen or remotely likely to see otters in the area given the area boarders the A14 and the guided busway. The tenants though have deep pockets and will be prepared for a fight with anyone who tries to take them on.
This lake is a real loss to the community and ultimately the people of Cambridge to a small band of people who have no interest in the community. It will be interesting to see what happens in the summer and what flash points emerge.
“Otters are a protected species and any disturbance to their natural habitat is a criminal offence”
Did Cawcutts apply for a license to erect the fencing given the European law on Otters.
The state of the perimeter access for walkers is appalling and at some points so deep and muddy almost impassable.
I doubt as many local residents do that this new fishing consortium will benefit anyone except a chosen few.
As a family resident in the nearby Orchard Park, we are regular visitors to this lake, we don’t have a dog to walk, we go there just for the beauty of being in an open, free, natural space. It is a real disgrace to see the ugly fence all around the lake, not so much to keep otters away, but to keep away non-paying walkers. The muddy path left to walkers reveals a greediness not seen before in Chivers Farm, who have allowed people to freely enjoy this natural habitat. Embryo Angling say they are protecting and enhancing the environment. Have they forgotten the wild rabbits, whose rabbit-holes have been left uncovered when clearing the edges for the public path, and are now pretty much part of this path?!
Shame on Embryo Angling habitats! So much for the fishing… or just for money??? Does anyone know who is in charge of keeping this company accountable?