Students protest their own university over plans to develop Ryebank Fields
manchestereveningnews.co.ukStudents protested with community groups against Manchester Metropolitan University’s (MMU) decision to sell a much loved field in south Manchester.
Ryebank Fields in Chorlton has been at the heart of a battle of green space versus housing for over 25 years. The fields, which sit on the border between Manchester and Trafford, were gifted to MMU under Margaret Thatcher's government back in the 1980s for use of sports and recreation.
However, many locals believe selling the land off to private developers is against the spirit of the gift of land. The protest camp, once a few scattered tents, now composes of an entire eco-house complete with a wood burner, solar panels and a bike shed, and has stood on a corner of Ryebank Fields since April 2021 so there is a constant protest against development. Read more: Protesters camped on Ryebank Fields for a YEAR to stop housing development warn: ‘I don’t mind staying here forever’ Now, the students of MMU have got involved and have protested against the university’s alleged ‘greenwashing’.
In 2021, the university claimed to be the most sustainable university in the UK, which the students and protesters disagree with due to their decision to build on this site.
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