A PUBLIC vote is taking place later this month on whether a fence should be built around a popular beauty and swimming spot in Pickmere.

The fence was due to be erected around the Informal Recreation and Open Space (IROS) at Jacob’s Way, including Pickmere Lake, in October, but villagers held a peaceful protest to block access to contractors.

Pickmere Parish Council decided the fence was needed last August following ‘extensive consideration’ involving the police and Cheshire East Council, on how best to mitigate the problems caused by large numbers of people flocking to the lake in the summer.

Incidents include nuisance parking which blocks in residents, littering, people defecating in bushes and antisocial behaviour – all of which happened during the heatwaves last year.

But some residents said the ‘controversial’ fence would be an ‘eyesore’, restricting access to a site used by a community of dog walkers, swimmers, children and families.

A poll is now taking place at Pickmere Village Hall between 4pm and 9pm on Tuesday, February 21.

Simon Read, chairman of Pickmere Parish Council, explained: “10 residents called for a poll on the fence.

“With the cost of living rising, the parish council offered to run the poll so that we did not have to use our precept, as it has risen this year, in line with many other councils’.

“If Cheshire East had been asked to run the poll it would have cost the village upwards of £1,500 for a poll.

“With that in mind, we have set the poll up and residents have been invited on February 21 to vote on the question utilising similar procedures to those of Cheshire East.

“The results of the vote are not binding, and the parish council can choose how to use the information from the poll.”
Potential voters will be required to be on the electoral register of the parish and will have to provide proof of identity to the returning officer (in accordance with current rules for local elections).