We are delighted that a controversial plan to build over 800 houses on an area of precious lowland peatland in Greater Manchester have been removed.
A large area (74 hectares) of Chat Moss, the precious lowland peatland in Greater Manchester, has been saved from destruction thanks to its removal from a development scheme that had threatened to build a giant housing estate in the area. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside had raised several objections to the plan and is delighted that this area of the peatland habitat has been saved.
The planning application was part of Greater Manchester’s Places for Everyone scheme to create jobs, housing and sustainable growth across nine districts of Greater Manchester. This included an application to build over 800 houses on an area of the Chat Moss peatlands known as ‘North of Irlam Station’ and situated between New Moss Road and Astley Road in the Irlam/Cadishead area of Salford. The area was designated Green Belt land.
Representatives from across the Wildlife Trust had worked together to lodge a number of formal objections to this plan, including attending in person hearings and providing extensive written evidence. This was largely based around the importance of our peatlands in tackling both our climate and nature crises.
We’re delighted to announce that the planning application was removed after the Planning Inspectorate ruled that the delivery of new homes on the site would not outweigh the harm caused by “the loss or deterioration of an irreplaceable habitat”.
As we know peatlands are a vital natural resource in tackling the climate emergency as when they are healthy, they absorb and store huge amounts of carbon. They are also an important habitat for a wide range of often rare and specialised wildlife.
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Posted On: 10/08/2023