Permaculture Manchester . . . lets put some green on the urban scene

40% prefer it to remain entirely green!

Our Hulme began its independent consultation on local people's opinions about Birley Fields in mid October. The following 2 charts show the opinions of the first 106 respondents. This page will be updated periodically as more people complete the survey.

The above chart shows that from 106 respondents:

• almost 40% would like to see Birley Fields remain entirely as green space;
• 76% of people would like to see half or more of the area remain as green space;
• less than 2% would like to see most of the green space developed.

Although the survey does not ask the question, their is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the sections local people would most like to see remain as green space, are the area known as 'Birley Common' opposite the post office, and the adjacent stretch down to Homes For Change housing co-op. These are exactly the areas where MMU plans to construct its high density 5,000 student campus. In terms of surface area, they are also the two most significant plots of land.

The above chart shows information on what kind of activities, the same 106 responents would most like to see on Birley Fields:

• The most popular option is managed green space, with 91 /106 people expressing a preference for this type of land use
• The three most preferred land use activities are all 'green' options: managed green space; wild green space; and outdoor community leisure, such as a city farm, or allotments;
• Following the green options in preference, are a block of 'community' options: social housing; small local business; small local shops, and a community centre;
• The least preferred are the 'corporate' options, including private housing, large shops / supermarkets, and offices;
• Preferrence for a university campus sits between the community options, and the corporate options;
• Although there is not a total rejection of the campus plans, it can be seen that only 47 / 106 (44%) expressed  any preference for it, as opposed to the 86% that expressed a preference for managed green space;
• It is also clear that a high % of people expressed the green options as their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preferences, whereas for the campus a high % of respondents expressed this as their least favourite preference.

It is important to us that as wide a diversity of people as possible complete the survey. If you have not done so yet, please spend a few moments doing it here.

If you have any thoughts or comments about the above charts, please leave them in the comments box below.