Plans in for divisive Ryebank Fields development

Step Places and Southway Housing Group have finally lodged proposals for 120 properties on the 10-acre site in Chorlton more than two-and-a-half-years since being selected as preferred bidders for the project.

Since July 2022, the developers behind plans for the Ryebank Fields scheme have been trying to work up a project that addresses the concerns of local residents while providing homes in a sought-after location.

Now, after several rounds of public consultation, Step Places and Southway have lodged their plans with Manchester City Council for consideration.

Designed by 5plus Architects, the development comprises a broad mix of homes including “age-friendly affordable apartments, private sale houses, co-housing homes with communal facilities, and supported living accommodation for autistic adults”, according to planning documents.

All of the homes would be built to Passivhaus standards and 35% would be designated as affordable.

“We are excited to take this next step in bringing forward a development that not only provides much-needed homes to an in-demand part of South Manchester but does so in a way that respects the site’s history and local environment,” said Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director at Step Places.

Jonathan Turner, assistant director at Southway Housing Trust, added: “Southway is delighted to be working with Step Places to bring forward affordable homes as part of the Ryebank proposals and address a housing shortage in Chorlton.

“The plans will create a mixed, sustainable community to help the city meet its housing targets.”

There has been vocal opposition to the scheme ever since Manchester Metropolitan University announced its intention to sell off Ryebank Fields in 2019.

This is likely to ramp up as the development works its way through the planning process and towards committee.

Since 2020, the site has been used sporadically as a base by protestors, including members of environmental group Extinction Rebellion.

Campaign group Save Ryebank Fields claims that the land is unfit for redevelopment and that MMU does not have a “moral right to benefit financially from the proposed housing development”.

To learn more about the application, search for reference number 142223/FO/2025 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.

Asteer Planning is advising on planning matters. The project team includes TPM Landscape, SK Transport, Walker Sime, Urban Green, Phi Low Carbon, and Ridge.