PNFS helps to save Rights of Way Mirrlees Fields, Stockport

News item dated Sunday 10th March 2024

Mirrlees Fields is a 26.88 ha (60 acres) green space located in Hazel Grove, Stockport. Over the last 40 years the Fields have been widely used as a much-loved semi-wild area. In partnership with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust family events have been held by the Friends of Mirrlees Fields and it is a popular area for walking.

The Fields are owned by MAN Energy (Ltd) who have sought to overthrow Stockport’s ‘strategic open space’ designation with an application to build houses on the much-used open field with the Mirrlees Oak in the centre.

In January 2022 this application was refused by Stockport Council, but MAN appealed this decision and a Public Inquiry was held in November 2023.

At the Inquiry, PNFS was represented by David Gosling who was a member of the Rule Six Group ‘Residents Against Development on Mirrlees Fields’. The argument was put in favour of retaining the whole of the green space and the existing right of way (126s) which is part of the Fred Perry Way. The application was opposed because of the importance of the site for recreation, preservation of wildlife and its contribution to the public health of the area.

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The proposal is for outline planning permission for 200 houses on 4.4 ha of the site while the remaining land would be transferred to the Land Trust (or similar organisation) which would guarantee public access to the remainder of the site.

The Appeal was allowed by the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State in a decision dated 24 Jan 2024.

Although this means a large part of the publicly accessible space will be lost to housing, the permission is granted on condition that the PRoW 126s would either stay in its current position or be diverted in a route agreed with the Council. Furthermore, there will be improvements and upgrades to the other rights of way in the area.

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These improvements to rights of way and protection to the Fred Perry Way were achieved by PNFS drawing attention to the impact of the development on well-used and loved public footpaths.

PNFS needs more volunteers to scrutinise planning applications, particularly those for large housing developments, and to make the case for protecting or improving the rights of way network. If you can help, please get in touch.