We are a group of local people who are campaigning to save the re-wilded green space, known as Ryebank Fields, from development. 

What do we want?

We want Manchester City Council to refuse planning permission for development on Ryebank Fields and for them to formally designate this site as Local Green Space, which has a similar level of protection from development as Green Belt.

Background

Ryebank Fields is a 4.6 hectare patch of open green space on the border of Chorlton and Stretford in South Manchester. It was gifted by Manchester City Council to Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University MMU) for use as playing fields. The University abandoned the fields in 1996, since when the land has re-wilded itself into a mosaic of natural habitats with over 1400 trees and countless birds, bats, mammals and insects.  MMU have applied for planning permission  which will destroy 40% of the biodiversity of the fields in order to build 120 housing units.

Why should we not develop on this green space

• We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis and we should NOT be building on any green space.
• Manchester is now the second most polluted city in the UK and these fields act as a local carbon sink.
• This area is subject to surface water flooding and this green space acts as a natural flood plain.
• Traffic congestion and associated air pollution have long been a problem on Longford, Ryebank, and the surrounding roads.  The cars associated with 120 additional housing units would have significant implications for safety, congestion and air pollution.  These roads are adjacent to two primary schools and heavily used by children and adults, on foot and on bikes, going to school, the sports centre and the park.
• This site was previously an uncontrolled landfill site.  There is asbestos and toxic landfill gases underground.  Any development risks un-earthing capped contamination.
• There is an anglo-saxon boundary called the “Nico Ditch”, which runs across the site and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.  This deserves ancient monument status.
• There are multiple brownfield sites in the area which have not yet been developed for housing.
• Ryebank Fields is a unique and precious green space which is currently accessible to all and is a well-loved community asset

www.saveryebankfields.co.uk

Thank you to Jay Clarke for the beautiful photo