Every month, for over four-and-a-half years, we have had a stall at Macclesfield’s Treacle Market where we have met and made many, many friends. The question they most frequently ask is:
“Is Danes Moss saved yet?”
And the answer to that is normally “NO” but we do need to clarify the situation because things have changed – painfully slowly, but the tide may be turning in favour of Danes Moss.
Before we crack on with the positive news, however, we should recap the reasons for our campaign.
The story so far
In early 2019 Cheshire East Council gave itself Outline permission to build almost one thousand houses, a spine road, supermarket, school, and commercial buildings on Danes Moss North (or as the council called it, South Macclesfield Development Area). This type of planning is a two-part process, and construction could not begin before the second stage applications (known as Reserved Matters) were approved.
The first aim of Save Danes Moss community group was to prevent irreversible destruction of this amazing place by opposing approval of the ten Reserved Matters applications submitted by the Council in December 2021 and January 2022.
Update 1:
About three-and-a-half years later, in June 2025, the Council’s Economy & Growth committee decided to withdraw its own Reserved Matters applications for permission to build the development approved at Stage 1.
We, and our supporters, campaigned for this for longer than we have had a stall at Treacle Market, so this was very welcome news.
Sadly, nothing much happened as a result of the committee decision, however in May 2026 the Reserved Matters applications were finally withdrawn due, in part, to very effective interventions by one of our ward councillors.
Our elation was short-lived though, as the Outline Planning Permission appeared to remain in place. This was critically important as any developer could submit new applications for Reserved Matters and we would be back to square one.
Once again, our ward councillor intervened and at the end of June the council’s Head of Planning provided this written statement:
“I can … confirm that the outline planning permission … has now lapsed.”
So, as it stands now, in mid-2026, all strategic planning proposals on Danes Moss North have either lapsed or been withdrawn.
This is excellent news. We thank all our supporters, volunteers, and advisors for their sustained help and encouragement so far.
BUT,
Update 2: (and call for supporter action)
Despite lapsed and withdrawn planning applications, Danes Moss North (SMDA) is still in the council’s Local Plan as a strategic development site. This means that it could attract developer interest, either as a single large proposal or as a series of smaller construction projects. If this happens, we will come out fighting again.
Cheshire East’s current Local Plan expires in 2030 and consultation on the scope and detail of its replacement began on 21st July.
Danes Moss Trust will be contributing as much information as we can to the replacement Plan process, which is in its opening stage. Our fundamental position is:
No housing or infrastructure development should be permitted on Danes Moss North or any other peatland sites in Cheshire East.
There will be opportunities for residents to contribute, and we urge all our supporters and volunteers to make their voices heard. Consultation details, and the significance of the Local Plan can be found here (Opens Cheshire East Council website in a new tab):
LOCAL PLAN SCOPING CONSULTATION
So, is Danes Moss saved yet?
No, but we have come a very long way since this campaign began, and with your amazing help we can remove it from the Local Plan and create our Vision for a beautiful, tranquil, and wildlife-rich space for the enjoyment of generations of Maxonians to come.
