Plans for a housing development on Danes Moss North look set to be scrapped.

Cheshire East Council will consider a report next week recommending that the current reserved matters planning applications for the 55-hectare site be withdrawn.

Following a decade-long battle, the council is expected to conclude that the link road, which would have carved through the site, will no longer go ahead and that the plans do not line-up with policies relating to the environment, carbon reduction and planning.

As such, it is proposed that alternative options be considered for the future of the site - owned by the council and Barratt Homes.

Upon hearing of the council's anticipated decision, Dr Rachel Giles from Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: "We've been objecting the South Macclesfield Development Area for over ten years now, so it's fantastic that the council have recommended that it should be scrapped.

"Such a recommendation is a triumph for common sense and for the local people who have campaigned for so long to have the proposals scrapped.

"Even more importantly, it is a step towards securing the future of this incredibly important site and the rare wildlife that depends upon it."

She added: "Wildlife in this country is at greater risk today than ever before, with pressures mounting to sideline environmental concerns in favour of economic development.

"This recommendation has demonstrated that local opinion really matters and environmental issues can't be ignored.

"It is encouraging that Cheshire East Council is willing to listen and do the right thing despite being faced with enormous pressures to develop the site." 

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has welcomed the council's anticipated decision (Credit: Nub News)

It was feared the proposed scheme would destroy a 'valuable habitat' for species such as the common lizard, the small heath butterfly and the willow tit, the latter of which could have faced extinction.

The site also acts as a 'carbon sink' due to the vast quantities of deep peat.

In 2017, Cheshire Wildlife trust presented evidence to councillors of the site's importance and branded it 'one of the most environmentally damaging schemes in Cheshire'.

In 2021, a surge in community support saw the formation of the Save Danes Moss campaign group.

The following year, the site was recognised as a Local Wildlife Site and, in 2023, a 6,000-strong petition was jointly presented to Cheshire East Council by Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Save Danes Moss.

James Melling from Cheshire Wildlife Trust added: "Today's decision is also a testament to the determination and hard work of Save Danes Moss campaigners.

"They have been a force of inspiration and people around the country could learn a lot from what they've done here.

"It's one thing to object to a development but it is another to inspire a community and foster such love and appreciation for local wildlife." 

He continued: "Now more than ever, we need more grassroots movement groups, like Save Danes Moss, to fight nature's corner.

"The Government is breaking its promise to put nature at the heart of housebuilding and are trying to introduce new planning laws that would make it easier to destroy fantastic wild spaces like Danes Moss.

"If they go ahead, we could see so many more rare habitats and species come under threat. I hope we can use the learnings of this well-fought campaign to help people all over the country stand up for nature."  

Cheshire East's economy and growth committee is due to discuss the report at a meeting next Tuesday (June 3).