Planning Application Objections
Manchester City Council's planning application reference is 142223/FO/2025. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council have also issued a planning reference which is 115688/FUL/25 due to an application to build a new road from the Ryebank Road cul-de-sac into Ryebank Fields. The deadline for submitting objections to Manchester City Council is Wednesday 2nd April 2025 and the deadline for submitting objections to Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council is Tuesday 25th March 2025. Please see the Planning Objections page on how to create and submit planning objections to both Manchester and Trafford Councils. There are no restrictions on where you live or the number of objections per household.
Community-Led Alternative Planning Application
In response to MMU’s ruthless development proposals, which show a complete disregard for the fields and our local community, we have been working on an alternative planning application to retain Ryebank Fields as a community woodland and meadow. Our planning consultant is currently drawing up the plans, and in early April we will be consulting local residents and community groups on our future vision for Ryebank Fields. We hope to be able to submit the planning application towards the end of April.
In order to make this a reality we need your help. We need to raise £5000 to pay for professional surveys and fees. An alternative planning application will enable us to present our plans to Manchester City Council thus giving us a level playing field with the chosen developers as the planning officers will have to legally consider our application.
Ryebank Fields was gifted to MMU under covenant for educational purposes only. If you hate to see MMU profiteering from public land and in doing so destroy 30 years of naturally rewilded biodiverse green space, then please give generously.
This alternative planning application will be submitted by Ryebank Fields Community Group with the full support of Friends of Ryebank Fields.
There are 3 ways to make a donation.
Use the QR code on this page
Bank transfer:
Metro Bank
Account number: 55317151
Sort code: 230580
Name on account: Ryebank Fields Community Group
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AJ5HHSFF7KHXA
Thank You. Your donation is much appreciated, with your help we can save Ryebank Fields.
Who We Are
Ryebank Fields Community Group was formed as a non profit organisation during legal and peaceful protests in June and July 2024. We objected to invasive site survey works taking place during nesting and breeding seasons.
We contacted the University's Vice-Chancellor Malcolm Press to ask for the works to be re-arranged for later in the year in order to minimise the ecological damage to this much-loved, rewilded space. The only response came from Lexington Communications the University's PR company who made the preposterous claim that "There are no nesting birds in Ryebank Fields"
With the support of Manchester's local and wider communities Ryebank Fields can be saved for current and future generations to cherish and enjoy.
Our Mission Statement
We will work to ensure Ryebank Fields remains in community use as a meadow and community woodland.
Our goals are to continue to:
1. Harness the potential of the uniqueness of Ryebank Fields to support and enhance community health and wellbeing, by enabling the local community to engage with nature.
2. Protect and enhance biodiversity and encourage local nature recovery.
3. Contribute to mitigating the impact of the climate crisis.
4. Encourage community cohesion, leadership and ownership.
5. Celebrate our cultural and community heritage.