The family of Jim Almond have this week vowed to press ahead with the scheme, despite the tragic death of the 56-year-old Broughton-based architect the day after he was told the controversial plans had finally been granted following a second planning appeal.
The normally fit and healthy father of four had been taken ill a few days earlier.
Speaking on behalf of her family this week, Mr Almond's wife Ann said: "We found out the day before Jim died that we had won the appeal and we were able to tell him that all his work had not been in vain.
"The family feel vindicated because the inspector's report dismisses all the objections. Not one of the 100 points raised by the objectors could be substantiated.
"Jim's plans were to secure the future for his children - all four of them.
"We plan to begin the project in November and dedicate the lakes as a fitting memorial and tribute to a wonderful, genuine man."
Inspector Karen L Ridge granted the appeal for the change of use of 2.5 hectares of agricultural land off Langley Lane - to the north of Crooklands Mill - together with the excavation of two fishing lakes; the erection of a single storey building for reception, office and store; the construction of an access from Langley Lane and internal access roads and 31 car parking spaces, subject to 23 conditions.
The previous application had been for three lakes on 6.9 hectares of land and both this and the smaller scheme were turned down by Preston Council despite being recommended for approval by planning officers. The Almonds appealed against the first refusal, but the inspector upheld the council's decision.
In this second appeal, however, the inspector over-rules concerns submitted by objectors, including fears over the scheme's effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and its effect on highway safety and local water resources.
And whilst the inspector says the scheme will result in changes to the Langley Lane area, she is satisfied these "would not be so significant as to be harmful to the character and appearance of the surrounding area".
Commenting on highway safety concerns, she believes that the 10 pegs of the specimen carp lake and 29 pegs of the match lake, together with 31 car parking spaces with an additional five 'overflow' spaces "would be more than adequate provision to cater for both staff and participant parking" and said that the "demand for car parking would probably be met on-site all of the time and there would be no need for cars to be parked along Langley Lane". She also considers the estimated increase in traffic to be generated by the scheme to be reasonable.
Plans for the lakes were first submitted over two-and-a-half years ago when Jim and Ann's son, lifelong fisherman Mark Almond, was in his final year studying sports fishery management in Hampshire. Original plans for a fishery at Rufford for Mark to run had fallen through, so the family turned to their own land, which had previously been farmed by the family and was rented out. Mark designed the recreational development and Jim drew up the plans, setting themselves up as Langley Lakes Ltd to press ahead with their dream.