On this page we will share background information compiled by Friends of Ryebank Fields, targeted at responding to their consultation material. The consultation at https://ryebankfieldsconsultation.co.uk/ is being carried out by Lexington Communications on behalf of Step Places and Southway Housing, ahead of them finalising designs and applying for planning permission which they currently plan to do in early 2025.
If the developer is not granted planning permission, he can walk away from the purchase and MMU would retain ownership of the fields, as gifted to them by the people of Manchester, for the forseeable future.
What happened about the last consultation?
In case you haven’t read the proposed developer team’s own ‘consultation feedback’ report on their website – here’s the headline message from the Feb 2023 consultation:
- 78% OPPOSED / 16% SUPPORTED the development (see attached pie chart). This is across all ‘tenures’ (Homeowner, renting, living with family)
- Of renters and people living with family (ie non homeowners), 64% were still actively opposed, and only 26% were in support of development. It’s not surprising to us that there is still such opposition by renters to these proposals. But perhaps it was so surprising to them, and that is why they left that 64% figure out of their report!?..
Developer proposal as at October 2024 (see their website for more / interactive information)
Resources on this Page so far:
- Responding to Developer Consultation 2024 10
- Developer proposal as at February 2023
- Material Planning Considerations
- Is the Proposed Development Eco-Friendly? (table version and slightly fuller version)
- NB please also refer to our FAQS page which already contains lots of useful relevant information
Developer proposal as at February 2023
Material Planning Considerations
Although developers have not yet reached a Planning Application stage, if the developers do submit a planning application to Manchester City Council, the Council is legally obliged to make its decision based on specific Planning grounds known as Material Considerations. Strength of public feeling is taken into account, but it makes a much stronger case to include material considerations in any objections: