12th September 2025
(Sent via mail, Twitter and email)
Dear Mr. Juniper
Re: Destruction of Padden Brook and Its Protected Habitats
I am writing to you with deep concern about the destruction of Padden Brook and its surrounding habitats, despite the area’s legal protections. Over the course of one year and thirty-two days, this ecologically rich corridor has been systematically destroyed with the knowledge and, I believe, the consent of those at the top of Stockport Council — including Michael Cullen, Chief Executive Vicki Bates, Monitoring Officer — as well as the Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart and LibDem councillors Mark Roberts, Angela Clark, and Rachel Bresnahan.
This destruction has resulted in the loss of habitats for bats, owls, dormice, hedgehogs, and other protected species. For an area that should have been safeguarded under existing environmental legislation, this outcome is both devastating and unacceptable. It is a Local Wildlife Site and Protected Amenity land untouched since the 1960s. Councillor Angela Clark told a concerned resident that the Legal Team at Stockport Council have told her that those protections can be – got around.
The government’s commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030 rings hollow when places like Padden Brook are allowed to be destroyed. I am urging Natural England to investigate how this was permitted to happen, and to hold accountable those who failed in their duty to protect our natural heritage.
If we are serious about halting biodiversity loss and meeting the 2030 targets, we must not allow protected habitats to be treated as expendable. I would appreciate your response outlining what steps Natural England can take to ensure that this kind of ecological destruction is not repeated elsewhere.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
Sheila Oliver
Partner, Citizens 2022 Committee
Editor, The Romiley Gazette
There was no grass anywhere near – she brought it in to pretend to have dug it up.
