Protestors have been dealt a new blow in the controversial development saga at Chorlton's Ryebank Fields.
Developers have long wanted to build on the site but furious campaigners have worked to block a move for some time, even going so far as to camp out on the fields for over a year
Step Places and Southway Housing have launched the consultation development of Ryebank Fields, owned by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), to bring forward plans to build a residential development.
READ MORE: Awaab's Law: Damp and mould complaints surge as action promised following toddler's death
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 now a virtual exhibition has been revealed of the plans to develop the land into a neighbourhood of 120 homes.
The proposals include 1.3 hectares of the parkland retained, a 250 sq. m central community hub surrounded by a market square and growing spaces, a nature path walkway, new habitats, a 1:7 planting policy across the whole site and 2.1 hectares of green space across the development to support local biodiversity.
However, the partnered developers' initial vision has been criticised 'as an exercise in greenwashing' via campaigns and protests by residents and community groups i.e. 'Friend of Ryebank Fields' who have protested entirely against the development for years.
Sarah Benjamin, 52, a researcher and committee member of the Friends of Ryebank Fields group, doesn't think the proposals compensate for the loss of grassland or meadow habitat.
She said: "We have been dealing with an outcry of anger and upset from local residents. The developers claim there will be 'no adverse impact' on wildlife from the development - but this can't possibly be true given the enormous reduction in grassland, shrubs and mature aspen trees with roots that act as a huge carbon sink.
"The 'retained parkland' is mostly of trees that border Longford Park so almost nothing of the area would be retained, while the 'community greens to support biodiversity' will be absolutely tiny in comparison to the amount of natural green space that supports biodiversity at the moment."
Step Places and Southway Housing Trust say they are "pleased to have this opportunity to bring forward these proposals for much-needed, zero-carbon homes in South Manchester, purposefully designed with a strong community focus, in a way that is sensitive to the local environment."
They have stated the proposals are still at a very early stage, but they are "committed to ongoing engagement and consultation to help inform the scheme design."
Protesters of local residents including dogs and children stood at Oswald Road Primary School in Chorlton outside the developers’ exhibition and marched with banners and signs - 'shame on MMU, NOW is the time to save Ryebank Fields, It is not a done deal, Green space once gone is gone forever', chanting and singing to the exhibition, where there were speeches.
Deirdre Louis, 63, said: "The biggest concern is the greenwashing. They are destroying all this carbon space. Many aspects of the development might be environmentally friendly if proposed on a brownfield site, but not in a place with 1400 trees that have been naturally rewilding for 20 years.
"A few 'bug hotels' are offered to compensate for the loss of two big fields of wildflowers and the footpath including streetlights and infrastructure will further destroy the wildlife corridor. Woods are not there for window dressing - they are habitats for creatures. To rip it all up and call it an 'eco-development' is tragic."
Residents have also expressed concern for the preservation of the Nico Ditch, a long linear earthwork dug in medieval times as a defensive fortification or boundary marker that stretches six miles across South Manchester.
The consultation proposal has referred to adopting a 'careful and sustainable approach' to the land and will 'protect and further enhance' the area - that has 'potential status to be registered as an ancient monument' according to locals.
Hannah Stanton, a teacher and resident of Trafford argues it is a 'huge injustice' in taking away a piece of land that's free for the community to access. She said: "The community and especially children have such little space to connect with nature now and it provides a space for them to play and explore - they need the spaces in the city and Covid-19 taught us the importance of that.
"The developers are claiming it will offer 'ample space to walk, run, cycle and enjoy the space' - in reality it will be a huge reduction in the space available to do all these things that we can currently do on the fields.
"They offer a 'community hub that can be used by residents and the wider community for learning, exercise, enjoyment' - we already use the fields for all these things and the community really get on board with events. Currently, the whole site is available for people to exercise in - the developers are offering a building!"
The first exhibition was held on January 28th and the second on Thursday 2nd February, but Southway Housing and Step Places strongly encourage anyone with comments and feedback unable to attend the events to leave feedback online, by phone or by letter.
Stephen Fernley, 31, said: "When the land was gifted to MMU it was for sports and recreation, and it stipulated the local community would have access too. They were given this land for a specific purpose, not to be sold for money years later. It’s really visceral that people have now seen the space they love and what it could be turned into - people are upset and angry.
"The country is waking up to the value of rewilding, and nature being in charge, and understanding we can’t manage everything, and we have to allow areas for nature to recover."
MMU was named the UK's most sustainable university in 2021 and in line with their ambitions to 'deliver a sustainable development', the university chose the partnered developers for 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."
However, Melisa Daniel, 26, an Artist, believes the land could be used as an education hub. She said: "We’re in a biodiversity crisis - every plant here has been planted by a bird or insect, this is exactly the environment we need to protect if we want a liveable planet.
"MMU could be creating an education hub, where their students could come and learn about rewilding, and ecology, and have community projects."
Residents also expressed concern at the consultation feedback form on the online proposal page. Hannah said: "The five questions in the online consultation are demonstrably not designed to elicit genuine feedback from the community, eg 'New housing should be considerate of the surrounding environment and community' - a general principle, not a specific reference to the fields."
Step Places and Southway Housing Trust have confirmed a further consultation will be held later this year on a more refined scheme, after comments that they have received are considered and further technical work has been undertaken.
"This will allow another opportunity for members of the public to have their say on more detailed proposals for Ryebank Fields. All feedback received will be published along with responses to the issues raised during the process in the Statement of Community Involvement that is submitted with the planning application."
A spokesperson for Step Places said: “We are delighted to share our plans for Ryebank Fields with the community. Both Step Places and Southway Housing Trust share the vision to deliver high-quality, affordable and sustainable homes for the people of Chorlton, promoting a sense of community.
"We would welcome this opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the scheme and submit their feedback whilst the public consultation is open.”
A Manchester Metropolitan University spokesman said: “Manchester Metropolitan University appointed a partnership between Step Places and Southway Housing Trust to deliver a housing development on a site at Ryebank Fields in Chorlton.
“Step Places and Southway Housing Trust have been in discussions with interested parties for several months and are now holding a public consultation. That is the correct avenue through which anyone interested can learn more about their proposals for the development and give their views.
“The Step Places and Southway Housing Trust proposal was selected as it is most in keeping with Manchester Met’s ambitions to deliver a sustainable development. 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.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Woman fined after she was thrown out of boyfriend's room 'naked in the middle of the night' over 4am row about hogging the bed
- Police pulled lad over for speeding... and found much more than they bargained for
- Teenage girl left ‘terrified’ by British Gas agents who broke into home while her mum was out
- Brilliant photos show Manchester's Oxford Street in the 80s - from Dutch Pancake House to the Odeon cinema
- ‘Our neighbourhood is now a drunken, drugged up 24-hour party place not fit for humans’
