Save Ryebank Fields
Protecting Manchester's last rewilded community woodland and meadow for people, wildlife and future generations.
Who We Are
A community standing up for nature
Ryebank Fields Community Group was formed in 2024 during legal and peaceful protests against Manchester Metropolitan University's invasive site surveys on Ryebank Fields. We objected to the work being carried out during nesting and breeding seasons. We contacted the university's Vice-Chancellor Malcolm Press to ask if the work could be delayed until the end of nesting and breeding seasons. 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". We are working to preserve this much-loved, rewilded local green space as a community woodland and meadow.
Planning Update
Planning Application
Ref: 143413/FO/2025
Manchester City Council (MCC) advised on the 17th of February 2026 that our community-led and funded planning application to retain Ryebank Fields as a woodland and meadow was ready to be determined by their Planning Committee. We have made several requests to the council to confirm the planning committee date — please see below a copy of our most recent communication to the Planning Officer responsible for our application. As soon as we know the date for the planning committee meeting we will update our social media and website. Once again, a huge thanks for your patience and continued support.
Email to MCC Planning Department (PDF)
Take Action
Save Ryebank Fields
Poster — Updated Version
Please show your support for the campaign by printing and displaying a copy of the poster in your window. Every poster displayed helps spread the word and puts pressure on decision makers.
Download Poster (PDF)How To Contact Us
Please enter details in the the contact form shown below to send us an email.