A massive tract of wildlife rich countryside next to Danes Moss SSSI nature reserve near Macclesfield in Cheshire is under threat from a massive housing and retail development and its stinks.

The "development" is on peatland, and it will completely contradict Government's policy to protect peat to tackle climate change - promoted by Michael Gove when he was environment minister. It's key to Britain's commitment made at the international climate summit COP26.

Peatlands are massively important for absorbing carbon dioxide - twice as effective as a rainforest.

They are also really wildlife rich. The area is packed with rare birds, animals and plants. The 960 new houses, retail sheds and link road proposed could dry out and kill off the nationally important Danes Moss SSSI nature reserve. https://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/danes-moss

It's madness. Just above in the Peak District the government is trying to restore damaged peatlands!

This act of wanton destruction is being promoted by Cheshire East Council - which says its committed to making the area carbon neutral! It's rank hypocrisy.

It's all about big profit now for big financial interests - with funders behind the project registered overseas. But its all at the expense of nature, the needs of local people and the stability of the world's climate.

We are calling on Cheshire East Councillors and the Government (Michael Gove) to call a halt to this tide of destruction. There's no point meeting housebuilding targets now by destroying our most vital resources in the battle to protect future generations. 

The plans have already been given outline planning permission and are in the Local Plan. But that doesn't mean we should bury our vital and more systemic commitments to the future of our planet. 

It makes absolutely no sense to smother this much loved and wildlife rich place in a concrete coffin. If old planning laws undermine our commitments to future generations then Government must over-ride those archaic planning systems. We have to adapt our legislation to meet the challenges of the future.