Manchester Metropolitan University has named their proposed developers for Ryebank Fields. The ex-claypit, which sits between Chorlton and Trafford, was gifted to the university in the 1970s and has been up for sale for more than 25 years but has now moved one step closer to becoming a community of 120 homes.
The Step Place and Southway Housing were, on Friday July 1 named as the chosen developers and they will now begin working on a public consultation before submitting their planning application to Manchester city council.
The proposed development of Ryebank Fields has caused some contention in the community as many residents of Chorlton and Trafford use the fields as recreational outdoor space and believe it should continue as such. The campaign to ‘save Ryebank Fields’ has been ongoing for many years and last year even saw a protest eco-house built on the land to ensure someone was present at the site at all times in an attempt to stop the fields being fenced off.
Read more: The Dogs of Ryebank Fields: How pets could help in the protest against development
The Friends of Ryebank Fields, along with campaigners, protesters and residents of both Chorlton and Trafford continue to object to housing being built on Ryebanks, suggesting that these fields are a much needed green space in the city of Manchester. According to campaigners, Ryebank Fields is an incredibly biodiverse site, with the historic Nico Ditch running through as well as having an aspen grove and being home to a huge variety of wildlife.
Despite the campaign to save the fields, the university has continuously maintained that the fields are private property and will be sold in order to make way for housing, in line with Manchester’s city council’s plans for the Chorlton area and to consolidate the university’s campus in the city centre.
As the U.K’s most sustainable university, sustainable practices were an important factor in deciding the developer for Manchester Metropolitan University and The Step Place and Southway Housing were chosen as their proposal was most in keeping with the university’s sustainable ambitions for the site. Their proposal aims to deliver: ‘affordable housing, low carbon buildings, net biodiversity gain, sustainable travel arrangements and public open green space which provides a gateway into Longford Park which the site borders’.
Professor Karen Moore, chief operating officer at Manchester Met, said: “Step Places and Southway Housing have an impressive track record of delivering sustainable developments, making them inclusive, safe and resilient. This reflects the importance that the University attaches to sustainability.
“We are recognised nationally as a university where sustainability forms an integral part of our teaching, research and campus development.”
The key elements of the proposed development include: a minimum of 20 percent affordable housing, net zero carbon housing using the Passivhaus principle and remediation of the contaminants on site including asbestos.
Following Ryebank’s time as a claypit, the fields were used as an unofficial tip and it is believed that there are discarded Anderson shelters and other war-time objects which house harmful chemicals. Studies carried out on the fields have proven the existence of Asbestos.
Gareth Smith, development director at Step Places commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the University as the lead developer for the site, alongside Southway Housing Trust. We understand that delivering new homes is about much more than delivering just bricks and mortar.
“It’s about delivering sustainable neighbourhoods and communities that people love.
“We, alongside Southway Housing Trust, are committed to delivering a green development, with extensive public open space, community facilities and an overall net biodiversity gain for the site. We are at the early stages of developing our plans and look forward to showcasing our initial proposals shortly.”
Karen Mitchell, chief executive at Southway Housing Trust said: “We are pleased to have joined Step Places, as the partner that will deliver much-needed affordable homes to Chorlton and help to address Manchester’s desperate housing shortage.
“We are a local community-based organisation and will work in partnership to protect and preserve the environmental value of the site, in line with our values. We are passionate about co-production and will be engaging with local people and stakeholders over the coming months to deliver a high-quality, affordable scheme that responds to local needs.”
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