Permission granted to keep Ryebank Fields green

Ryebank Fields Community Group will now need to convince landowner Manchester Metropolitan University to go ahead with plans to turn the 11-acre site into a community woodland and meadowland.

Going from the strength of objection from MMU’s representative at today’s planning committee meeting – such an agreement seems unlikely.

MMU has its own planning application for the site, having developed it alongside developer Step Places and housing association Southway. Under those proposals 120 apartments and townhouses would be built on the site. Of these, 42 would be made available for social rent, eight would be for young adults with autism, and 18 for co-housing.

MMU’s application is due to appear in front of Manchester City Council’s in the near future. Today’s result does not preclude the planning committee from also approving MMU’s application.

The Ryebank Fields Community Group’s application focused on the change of use for the site, which was formerly used for clay extraction before being converted into playing fields.

MMU closed public access to the site in 2020 after asbestos was found to be coming to the surface because of the burrowing of animals. Those who have accessed and continue to access the site since then have been trespassing.

Despite this, the site has proven popular for those in the Chorlton community and is favoured by many a dog walker. During today’s meeting, Ryebank Fields Community Group argued that it represents a vital flood sink and “a lifeline for urban wildlife” and thus offers a different proposition to the adjacent 54-acre Longford Park.

Of the 742 responses received for the Ryebank Fields Community Group application, 675 were in support.

Regarding the asbestos found on the site, the city council’s officer team was satisfied with the community group’s mitigation plans. This includes installing dead hedges to prevent public access to potentially dangerous portions of the site, regular site monitoring every three months with a qualified consultant, and walkovers conducted by volunteers ahead of any organised activity.

To review the group’s plans for Ryebank Fields, search reference 143413/FO/2025 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.

Today’s planning committee meeting also reviewed McGoff’s application for a 17-storey tower by Marble Arch pub, with members ultimately deciding to defer making a decision pending a site visit.