After gaining huge levels of local support, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Save Danes Moss are doubling down against the planning applications with a new petition that could end the threat to the local wildlife site once and for all.

In addition to rejecting all current applications, the two groups want to see Danes Moss North removed from the Council’s planning strategy. This follows a commitment from the Council to review its local plans by 2024. If this were to happen, it is unlikely any further developments would come forward.  

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has long warned that Danes Moss North is valuable to wildlife. Not only is it connected to Danes Moss Nature Reserve, but it is breeding ground for the willow tit, the UK’s most threatened bird.  

The Trust has also called for the restoration of site’s peatlands to help tackle climate change. New Government guidance warns that many peatlands are susceptible to ‘development pressure’ and advises that ‘policies reflect the importance of managing peatlands and avoid detrimental climate… and biodiversity impacts from development’1. Both Save Danes Moss and Cheshire Wildlife Trust have collaborated to produce a community-led vision for the site should the petition be successful.

James Melling from Cheshire Wildlife Trust says: 

“If the Council are serious about their climate pledges, then they need to look again at this site and acknowledge the value it provides to nature and the climate.

“We need 5,000 signatures from Cheshire East residents for our petition to be considered. If we reach that threshold, we can present our case for protecting this site to the Council’s Planning Board in person. The more people that back our call, the stronger our case becomes. This isn’t just about stopping one development on Danes Moss; it’s about stopping any development on Danes Moss so we can make our community-led vision a reality.”

Tom Eccles from the Save Danes Moss group added: 

‘Our new petition is a rallying cry to safeguard the site from anyone who wants to take it away from the community. What started off as a few concerned individuals has become a huge community movement that wants its voice to be heard.

“Many people have told us how important Danes Moss is to them, with generations all sharing memories of this site. Now we have a chance to make sure it will be around for generations to come. If we all come together to protect this precious habitat, then we can move the conversation towards making it better for people, nature and the climate.”  

Cheshire East residents can sign the online petition.