The Romiley Gazette
Founded 9 August 2025 – Editor: Sheila Oliver – sheilaoliverdachshund@gmail.com
First anniversary of the destruction of Padden Brook Local Wildlife Site — residents demand answers
By Sheila Oliver — Editor, Romiley Gazette
This week marks one year since the commencement of large-scale clearance and damage to the Local Wildlife Site / protected amenity land at Padden Brook (Romiley, SK6). Local residents say long-established scrub, understorey and habitat have been removed over many months and that an old “butty” van, now covered in graffiti, remains dumped on the cleared area. Councillors and senior council officers have publicly described the works as an “improvement” or “tidying up”, and say there is little they can do about the unsightly vehicle. Residents and campaigners strongly disagree and are demanding clear action and a transparent account of the decisions that permitted the clearances.
In August 2024 residents first alerted Stockport Council and local councillors that works were underway on land which later was confirmed to be a Local Wildlife Site / protected amenity. According to residents’ accounts and public planning documents, vegetation clearance and removal of shrubs and trees took place over many months. A planning document logged in March 2025 records proposals relating to the removal of certain trees at the Padden Brook site. Campaigners say the habitat loss is irreversible for some species and that the presence of a graffiti-covered butty van on site adds to the sense of neglect.
Residents report repeated contact with the council, elected representatives and senior officers. Councillors and council statements so far have described the area as “improved” and “tidied”, and have said enforcement options are limited with respect to the abandoned vehicle. Local campaigners say the council has not explained why the clearance proceeded despite the site’s protected status and are calling for an independent review and immediate action to remove the vehicle and restore habitat where possible.
Questions sent to Stockport Council
- When and how was Padden Brook recorded on the council register as a Local Wildlife Site? Please share the specific record/document.
- Which permissions (planning, highways, landowner consent) authorised the vegetation works and on what dates were they granted?
- Why has the graffiti-covered vehicle (the “butty van”) remained on site and what enforcement steps have been taken or considered to remove it?
- Will the council publish its ecological assessment and any mitigation or replacement habitat proposals?
The council has been contacted for comment and a response will be published in full when received.
Editor
Sheila Oliver
sheilaoliverdachshund@gmail.com
Quick facts
- Founded: 9 August 2025
- Location: Romiley / Stockport
- Contact: sheilaoliverdachshund@gmail.com
Romiley Gazette – Founded 9 August 2025. © 2025 Romiley Gazette.
