Until the late 1950’s, Moston Vale was a highly active mining site providing employment for much of the local community. It was also a playground for local children. Through the late 1960’s to the mid 1970’s the site became a landfill, and Moston Brook (a tributary of the River Irk), which runs through the site, was culverted, now lying 30ft underground.

Upon closure of the landfill, the area was landscaped and planted with trees. However, these trees are now few and far between. So where did they go? Local knowledge suggests a lady who lived in an old cottage on the site created an informal animal sanctuary which took in a variety of animals, the most memorable of which were goats and donkeys. These animals roamed around the area, and ate the whips (baby trees) that were on the site.

In 2002 Moston Vale was chosen as one site in a unique £23 million scheme known as Newlands to reclaim large areas of derelict and neglected land across the North West, transforming them into open green spaces for the local community. The scheme benefits 435 hectares across the Mersey Belt, including areas in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North Cheshire, and was programmed for more than five years. These sites are being developed through five key delivery partners: Red Rose Forest, The Mersey Forest, The Pennine Edge Forest, Groundwork Northwest and Forest Enterprise. Click here to see more

The Moston Vale site was chosen as part of the first phase of the scheme. The 19 hectare site includes a southern section from Carisbrook Street across to the corner of Church Lane and Lightbowne Road (adjoining the site of the new Central Business Park); and another section north of Church Lane up to Ashley Lane and Rudd Street in Moston.