Capturing and storing huge volumes of water, reducing the risk of our rivers bursting their banks as frequently as they otherwise would do! 

The ditches are full and Carrington Lake has reappeared, the water is extensive and deep, so take care when you are out and about, especially if visibility is poor.

With flood warnings relating to Storm Henk being issued today, it is useful to remind local residents of the many ecosystem services delivered by Carrington Moss (also known as the Moors to some local people) and the extensive natural capital benefits the area provides.

Trafford’s Natural Capital Account states that “a natural capital approach is about everyone understanding the benefits – ensuring the protection and enhancement of natural assets are fully considered in decision making”.  So, the Places for Everyone (P4E) plan should have taken full account of the natural capital value of peat, for example, incorporating all the ecosystem services it provides, and the plan should have evaluated all the other natural capital benefits and ecosystem services of the Green Belt land to be released if the P4E plan is adopted as currently proposed.

The extensive natural capital assets at New Carrington include its:

• soil resources (the peat mass and the Grade 2 best and most versatile agricultural land)
• vegetation, including extensive woodlands, hedgerows and other plants
• natural flood management and carbon capture capabilities
• ecological corridors, which sustain the habitats of over 25 red listed birds and a number of endangered/protected wildlife species, insects and reptiles
• ability to reduce the impact of air, noise, light, vibration and water pollution in the surrounding areas
• active travel routes, which are used extensively for walking, cycling and horse riding (there are over 1,000 horses stabled on and around Carrington Moss)
• access to nature-based recreational activities which provide physical and mental health benefits to local communities, including social prescribing
• access to nature-based volunteering activities and outdoor learning for schools
• preservation of heritage assets
• extensive landscape views, which are typical of lowland mossland habitats.

Our own, very conservative, estimates suggest that Carrington Moss accrues over £15m in natural capital benefits each year.  We understand this benefit is not included in the £71m figure calculated by Trafford.  They have decided not to capture all assets but have identified those they believe represent “the most critical in an urban context”.  This is consistent with the approach taken by P4E, which completely ignores our rural communities, the rural economy and rural assets, including the associated natural capital benefits provided.

The plans for development on Carrington Moss will cause significant harm to its natural capital assets and we do not believe a comprehensive evidence base has been assembled (contrary to the statement in P4E document 07.01.25, paragraph 1.8).  The majority of the natural capital assets within the New Carrington allocation area have not been measured and there are many data omissions in the P4E documentation. 

Our public bodies appear to have no understanding of what will be lost as a result of the unnecessary and unsustainable plan to release our Green Belt.  Trafford’s current plan includes the destruction of historic wetland habitats, then the creation of new areas of wetland.  This is totally irrational, does not make either ecological or financial sense, will require funding from the public purse, and would not represent the best value for public money.

Neither Trafford, nor the GMCA, have undertaken an assessment of the consequential loss of natural capital assets or the impact to ecosystem services that will occur if the P4E plan is adopted as currently proposed.  This is despite GM’s 5 year Environment Plan (5YEP) setting out the responsibilities for Local Authorities, which appear to have been ignored, including:

• “GMCA and LAs will embed a natural capital approach into strategy and plan development
• GMCA and LAs will support peatland restoration approaches and provide a clear framework for approach and delivery as part of a resilience strategy”.

The 5YEP also aims to prioritise action to “protect, maintain and enhance our key natural assets”, including restoring “50-75% of our peatlands” (odd, then, that Trafford plans to destroy a 335 hectare peat moss).  

How local residents can support Carrington Moss

With all the above in mind, please take the time to sign and share our petition asking the Secretary of State to review the Places for Everyone Plan as it does not bring any benefits to local residents and could result in severe consequences, including the increased risk of future local flooding!