It has been 287 days since protesters started camping out on a field on Manchester's border with Trafford to save it from development.
What started as a community campaign to save Ryebank Fields, Chorlton, has turned into a mass protest with an entire house being built on the land to keep it occupied, and to stop other homes being built there.
Since April 24 2021, campaigners have been sure to not leave the Ryebank site unattended for fear of it being closed off to the public.
First, they camped in tents, then in a tower six-feet off of the ground to evade eviction, and now they are moving into a timber-framed eco-house.
Construction on the eco-house first started in October 2021 but now, the home is in move-in condition with a wood burner, insulated walls and two storey living.
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The house was built in protest against Manchester Metropolitan University’s plans to sell the fields in order to be developed into housing.
The university has had plans to sell the land for housing since 1996 and it was put up for sale in 2020.
A study of the land that year found dangerous chemicals below the surface of the fields, including heavy metals and asbestos.
It is understood that any developers would need to clear the site of the dangerous chemicals before building work could commence.
Campaigners are against the development of the fields as it is a well used area for dog-walking, exercise, and being with nature.
The fields are also home to an aspen grove, part of the historic Nico Ditch, and are an example of a rewilded space in the inner suburbs.
While there is no running water at the site, those who occupy the fields are being supported by members of the local community and have, themselves, created a community on the fields.
The house, described by Friends of Ryebank Fields committee secretary, Paul Harnett as ‘built out of a skip’, has been put together with donations from the community, builders offering leftover supplies and a few prize pieces.
The house is shrouded with a red vinyl roof - reputedly originally purchased to cover the player’s tunnel at Old Trafford.
It was never used and sat in a garage for years before being offered to the campaigners.
The newest installation at the property is a wood burner, which means that the house will be toasty and warm through the cold nights.
The wood burner was gifted to the camp by a ‘blacksmith down south’, whose relative was one of the first campers at the field.
Paul said: “Anyone who’s having their house renovated, we get the nod.
“We’ve got builders giving us windows.
Joe Stone, a member of Extinction Rebellion Manchester, added: “We bought a bit of timber for the frame because you need that to be reliable.
“But once people get it into their heads that you want their junk, they’ll bring it all.
“On New Year’s Eve, someone came over with packs of cigarettes and a bottle of champagne.
“On the first night we lit the burner, we cracked the champagne.
“It was a bottle of Bolly.”
Some issues remain - the campers rely on solar batteries for electricity and the current weather has meant that they have not been able to fully charge.
“The problem with the solar batteries is the cold," Joe added. "We got them up to 50% charge yesterday in the sun and later it was 40% with no use.
Despite the challenges, Joe has become attached to the property.
“I’ve started to become much more anxious," he said.
“There’s a lot more to lose now than when it was just tents.
“You could put a tent back in a minute. The need to protect this space, it has made me anxious about the hostile forces.
“This is a temporary structure which doesn’t alter the foundations of the space.
“There isn’t concrete foundations or digging into the asbestos, it’s not causing permanent damage or harm. This is not causing damage or harm.
“The value of living, staying, sleeping in protest camps is sort of living in resilience.
“It’s a good way of developing your own politics.
“You know, theft of land for profit. This is public land that was gifted to a university.
“The houses built on here are going to be expensive, you can bet they won’t be social. This is why we have a housing crisis, because it’s all profit led.
“This is community led.”
Ryebank Fields was gifted to Manchester Metropolitan University back in 1996 as a sports field and recreation ground.
Despite being owned by the university, the land has always been well used by locals in Chorlton, nearby Firswood and Stretford, with a community garden marking the entrance to the fields on the Trafford side.
Before being gifted to Manchester Metropolitan University, the land was a brickworks, then an unofficial tip before being covered in topsoil and becoming Ryebank Fields.
The Friends of Ryebank Fields are campaigning alongside the camp to try and halt development of the fields, hoping they can be saved for community use.
Deirdre Lewis, Chair of the Friends of Ryebank Fields Group told the M.E.N: “We’re building our evidence.
“We work very much in tandem with the camp.
“We’re gearing up to the possible announcement of planning permission being sought.
“We’re going to begin to launch a new funding campaign to pay for legal costs that could occur.
“It’s about getting our argument and evidence in order to put up a strong opposition to any planning application.
“We think this could be crunch year.
“If anyone comes here, soon as we see anyone we don’t know it goes out on the local Facebook group.
“They’ll be met by 40 or 50 people, that will keep happening.
“There’s a level of opposition here that’s really organised.”
She says that the fields are home to a vast amount of wildlife and are of ecological importance.
“There’s 1,400 trees, incredible biodiversity, it helps with flooding, it’s two beautiful fields.
“If you want to do something about climate change, act local. Come to Ryebanks!”
Paul added: “We’ve been expecting a developer since last May.
“MMU put a leaflet around the houses in September saying a developer would be appointed in November, nothing.
“We can’t save the Amazon in Chorlton, but we can save Ryebank Fields.”
Manchester Metropolitan University issued a statement about the encampment last year, saying: "We are conscious of the presence of tents and other structures on the site.
"We have repeatedly advised members of the public not to enter the site because of the potential health and safety risks.
"Ryebank Fields is private land and any unauthorised access constitutes an act of trespass."
Meanwhile, a statement on Manchester Metropolitan University's website describes what will happen to the site when sold.
It says: "The University is in the process of selling Ryebank Fields.
"The University has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and managing the environment.
"We are aiming to work with an appointed developer to deliver a housing development on the site that reflects this commitment.
"We will ensure any developer delivers:
- a development with distinctive character which reflects and complements its surroundings
- low carbon buildings
- low traffic neighbourhoods
- high quality design
- a remediated site which is safe and accessible
"There has been strong interest in the site and a shortlist of four developers has now been drawn up.
"The University will make a final decision on a preferred developer over the coming months.
"That developer will then sign a contract to buy the land and be required to work with the local community on the proposals before a formal planning application is submitted. That process is expected to take at least 12 months."
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