The battle over a 'sacred' piece of Manchester is about to be won

A crucial vote could take place within weeks06:10, 19 Aug 2026A long-running battle over the future of ‘precious’ Ryebank Fields in south Manchester could soon be over.‌Campaigners from the Ryebank Fields Community Group believe that their planning application for the land will be put before councillors in Manchester for a vote on September 24.‌Their proposal is asking for the land to stay as a community woodland and meadow. It is going against a separate plan by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and housing developers Step Places and the Southway Housing Trust to build 120 homes.‌Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily NewsletterThe outcome of the vote will decide the future of Ryebank Fields and the surrounding streets in Chorlton for generations