The Romiley Gazette

18th August 2025

Editorial

Friday, October 11, 2024 5:07 PM residents raised alarm bells about unlawful activity at Padden Brook: branches cut from protected trees, chainsaws buzzing near protected wildlife, and activity on land designated as both protected Amenity Land and a Local Wildlife Site.

By Monday, the official line from the Town Hall was swift — “an officer has been out today and confirmed that no inappropriate work has been undertaken.” Case closed. Nothing to see here.

The evidence of chainsaw work and damaged habitat tells a different story. The gap between lived reality and council assurances is becoming all too familiar. Residents report, officials dismiss, and the cycle repeats.

It raises a troubling question: is this “see-no-evil politics” simply another form of Photo op-and-Dash governance? Quick statements for the record, quick denials for the inbox — then off to the next photo-op with no lasting accountability.

Local campaigner Sheila Oliver has been asking the Council for over a year what action will be taken to protect this land. So far, she has received only polite acknowledgements and bureaucratic brush-offs.

When our protected green spaces and wildlife are at risk, residents deserve more than swift, curt, patronising responses. They deserve actual protection, genuine transparency, and a willingness to dig deeper than the prepared script.

———————————————————————————–

Mon 14/10/2024 18:08

Dear Mrs Oliver

Thank you for your email.

An officer in the Neighbourhoods team has been out today and confirmed that no inappropriate work has been undertaken.

Kind regards

Vicki Bates

(She/Her)

Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance

Monitoring Officer

(Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services and Information Governance)

Corporate and Support Services

Legal Department

Stockport Council

Room 325
Town Hall

Edward Street
Stockport
SK1 3XE

Direct:  0161 474 3219 / 07815 715 625

***Please note that if you receive this email from me outside of usual office hours I do not expect a response from you***

From: Sheila Oliver <sheilaoliver@ntlworld.com>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 5:07 PM
To: Vicki Bates <vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk>; Michael Cullen <michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk>; enquiries <enquiries@lisasmart.org.uk>; Cllr Angie Clark <cllr.angie.clark@stockport.gov.uk>; Cllr Mark Roberts <cllr.mark.roberts@stockport.gov.uk>; Cllr Lisa Smart <cllr.lisa.smart@stockport.gov.uk>; Leader <leader@stockport.gov.uk>
Subject: Landowner at Padden Brook cutting branches from protected trees today and using chainsaw near badger sett

Dear Ms Bates

Unlawful action has been taking place again today at the land at Padden Brook.  I remind you yet again that the land is protected Amenity Land and a Local Wildlife site.  What action will the Council be taking?  I have been asking for two months now.

Yours

Sheila