Developers finally named for housing plans on Ryebank Fields

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