We are a group of local people who are campaigning to save the re-wilded green space that is known as Ryebank Fields from development. We are in a Climate Crisis and we should NOT be building on any Green Space.

Ryebank Fields is a 12 acre patch of open green space on the border of Chorlton and Stretford in South Manchester. It was gifted by Manchester City Council to Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University) for use as playing fields. The University abandoned the fields in 1996, since when the land has re-wilded itself into a mosaic of natural habitats. It is a fantastic green area accessible to all and a well used and loved Community asset. The fields are home to over 1400 trees and countless birds, bats, mammals and insects, as well as providing invaluable food and shelter for pollinators. They also act as a carbon sink and natural floodplain and combat air pollution in this densely populated urban area which is bordered by a local school, with another primary school 200 metres away.

The MMU have now appointed developers, Step Places and Southway Housing, who are currently finalising designs and will be applying for planning permission at some point over the next year. We intend to stop them getting this planning permission and in order to do so, we need now to raise further funds to pay for reports, expert and legal advice etc.

Please help us with whatever you feel you are able to give.