9th October 2025

29th August 2025

The reach of the Romiley Gazette.

Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Opinions are those of the writer, not the Gazette.

Email to: sheilaoliverdachshund@gmail.com

Tips List

• 150–300 words
• Include name & town
• Avoid libel or offensive content

Policy & Guidelines

• Defamation / Libel rules
• Court & crime restrictions
• Offensive content & hate speech rules
• Copyright / originality reminders
• Optional: Right-to-reply info

12th August 2025

Devaluation of House Prices Sparks Concern After Damage to Retaining Wall at Protected Wildlife Site

Romiley, August 2025 — Homeowners in the close-knit community of Romiley are facing a troubling situation following the recent undermining of a critical retaining wall that supports 24 houses adjacent to a Local Wildlife Site and protected amenity land.

The retaining wall, which has long been a vital structure safeguarding the homes in Howard Close from erosion and potential land slippage, was reportedly compromised after the new landowner undertook unauthorized work on the site. Residents have since raised alarms over not only the structural undermining but also the extensive dumping of rubbish and destruction within the protected area — a cherished green space that serves as a haven for local wildlife and a community visual amenity.

Many homeowners fear the damage and environmental degradation will significantly reduce property values in the area.

Senior council officers, local councillors, and the local MP, Lisa Smart, have been repeatedly contacted about the issue over many months but have so far failed to respond, leaving residents frustrated and feeling overlooked.

Local environmental groups have condemned the landowner’s actions, emphasizing that the site’s protected status is meant to preserve biodiversity and provide a natural visual amenity for residents. “This is not just about property — it’s about preserving an irreplaceable habitat,” said a local resident. “The dumping of waste and destruction of vegetation threatens local species and undermines the integrity of the protected land.”

In the meantime, residents are urging swift action to assess the state of the retaining wall, clean up the site, and ensure future protections to prevent further harm to this vital community and environmental asset.

This was how it looked at the beginning of August 2024.

11th August 2025

ROMILEY GAZETTE
Concerns Over Unstable Land Threatening 24 Homes – Authorities Silent for a Year

Serious safety concerns have been raised over an unstable hillside supporting 24 houses in Romiley, after recent actions by the new landowner are believed to have worsened the risk.

The hillside in question has been unstable for years, with part of a public footpath already having collapsed. Local residents report that since acquiring the land, the new owner, Mr Greg Hall, has carried out extensive bulldozing works. This activity has included the removal of much of the existing vegetation — including mature laurel bushes, which play a key role in absorbing excess water and stabilising the soil.

Residents fear that this large-scale clearance has further undermined the stability of the slope, potentially increasing the risk of landslip.

The precarious condition of the land was formally reported to Councillor Angela Clark on 9 August 2024. Despite the potential safety implications for the homes above, Councillor Clark has yet to respond. The matter was also escalated to senior council officers at the same time, who likewise have failed to respond over the past 12 months.

Given the apparent risk to both public safety and local infrastructure, the continued silence from elected representatives and council officers is causing growing frustration in the community.

The Romiley Gazette has contacted both Councillor Clark and Stockport Council’s senior management team for comment. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

Questions to the Council

The Romiley Gazette invites Councillor Angela Clark and Stockport Council’s senior management to address the following points:

1. Risk Assessment: Has the council carried out any recent geotechnical surveys of the hillside, and if so, what were the findings?
2. Preventative Measures: What steps, if any, have been taken to prevent further erosion or instability since concerns were raised in August 2024?
3. Planning and Permissions: Were the bulldozing works and vegetation clearance by Mr Greg Hall subject to any planning consent or environmental checks?
4. Vegetation Loss: Has the council assessed the impact of removing mature laurels and other plants on water absorption and slope stability?
5. Public Footpath Collapse: What action has been taken to repair or make safe the collapsed public footpath?
6. Emergency Preparedness: What contingency plans are in place if the hillside suffers further collapse threatening the 24 houses?
7. Communication: Why have neither Councillor Clark nor senior council officers responded to correspondence over the past year regarding this issue?
8. Landowner Accountability: Has the council been in contact with Mr Greg Hall to ensure his activities do not further compromise slope stability?
9. Resident Safety: What assurances can the council provide to residents whose homes are situated directly above the unstable land?

We await the council’s responses and will publish them in full once received.

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

1. When and how was Padden Brook recorded on the council register as a Local Wildlife Site? Please share the specific record/document.
2. Which permissions (planning, highways, landowner consent) authorised the vegetation works and on what dates were they granted?
3. Why has the graffiti-covered vehicle (the “butty van”) remained on site and what enforcement steps have been taken or considered to remove it?
4. 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.