At December’s Full Council meeting today, the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (SADPD) was approved. This long delayed second phase of the CE Local Plan includes a number of important ecological, biodiversity net gain and Climate Change Policies, raised first in the 2018 draft iteration of this Document. It is therefore both exciting and timely that on the same day, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust announce this important and welcome development for Danes Moss in Macclesfield!
Cheshire Wildlife Trust Press Release:
“After months of surveying and report writing by Cheshire Wildlife Trust and local communities, Danes Moss North in Macclesfield is now designated as a Local Wildlife Site. The site will now be added to a network of over 400 wildlife sites in Cheshire East.”
“ Local Wildlife Sites are areas that are especially important for the plants, animals and other species that live there. They are some of our most valuable wildlife areas. Qualifying sites need to meet strict criteria and be assessed by a panel of local experts. Danes Moss North has been selected because it is home to increasingly scarce habitats and wildlife including lizards, small heath butterflies (pictured below) and three breeding pairs of the nationally endangered willow tit (pictured)”
“However, despite it’s new status, Danes Moss North remains at risk. The site is close to our Danes Moss Nature Reserve and part of an area of precious peatland which is under threat of development from nearly 1,000 homes, a link road and retail units – the South Macclesfield Development Area. The council-led plans have met stiff resistance from our Save Danes Moss campaign, local MP David Rutley, and celebrity campaigner Chris Packham who are all challenging the Council’s plans to build on the site.”
“While Local Wildlife Site status doesn't prevent the site from being built upon, it means it's wildlife value must be taken into consideration before any final decision is made on the development. The new status would also require any developer to do more to limit the damage caused to wildlife.”
James Melling, Wilder Campaigns Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust says:
“Designating Danes Moss North as a Local Wildlife Site is a huge win for wildlife. It acknowledges that this site is a fantastic wildlife corridor and extremely valuable to nature. The land is part of a much larger peatland, of which the southern half known as Danes Moss Nature Reserve, is already designated at a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Recognising the importance of Danes Moss North is a welcome step toward creating places for nature that are bigger, better and more joined up.”
“Thank you to each and every one of you that supports Cheshire Wildlife Trust. You have allowed us to continue to defend nature at a time when it needs us most.”
Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, who recently visited the site said:
“The recent designation of Danes Moss as a Local Wildlife Site is a positive step forward. It highlights the rich wildlife at the site, which needs to be fully recognised and protected. This is also another critical reason to oppose development on this vital peat land. I am grateful to the Save Danes Moss group and Cheshire Wildlife Trust for their work to make this important designation possible.”
Our vision for Danes Moss
Danes Moss is a special area and we want to save it for future generations. Alongside the Save Danes Moss group, we’ve created a vision for what this site could look like if we chose to, not just protect it, but fully restore it for nature. We’ve imagined a Danes Moss that is better for nature, the climate and our communities.
Find out more about our vision and add your thoughts to our community consultation.
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/a-vision-for-danes-moss/
Reference and photos: courtesy of Cheshire Wildlife Trust:
https://mailchi.mp/a2ef7ff74a98/a-win-for-wildlife?e=c2dcb86985
