26th October 2025
For over 14 months, the small but historically significant woodland along Padden Brook, Romiley has been under threat, yet local residents say their calls for action have fallen on “cloth ears”. Protected under Tree Preservation Order 376E, the woodland has seen mature trees felled and saplings destroyed, yet local Liberal Democrat councillors and the MP appear to have done nothing to intervene.
The woodland is more than a collection of trees. Centuries ago, it was part of Hatherlow Field, linked to the historic Chadkirk estate, and has long been a green corridor and habitat for wildlife in Romiley. Locals say it forms a living connection to the area’s past — one now being erased, tree by tree.
While the council approved the removal of a few specific trees under planning application DC/095427 in May 2025, residents fear that unauthorised works have gone far beyond this, leaving the woodland stripped in places. “We’ve written, phoned, and emailed our councillors and the MP,” said one resident. “For over a year, nothing has happened. It’s as if our heritage and our green space simply don’t matter to them.”
The woodland may not qualify as ancient woodland under national guidelines, but its historical links to Chadkirk, its ecological value, and its role in the community make it far more than just a patch of trees. Conservationists warn that continued neglect could permanently damage this unique landscape.
Residents are now calling for urgent council intervention, enforcement of the TPO, and a public explanation as to why local representatives have failed to act. This is not just woodland — it is a part of Romiley’s history and identity, one that the community is determined to protect.
