Mobberley Quakers mark 400 years after planning row ends

Cited on the National Heritage List for England, the Quaker Burial Ground, on Graveyard Lane, was neglected for around 20 years before being transformed into an accessible public green space by its current owners, Keith and Liz Trafford, three years ago.

The couple, who live next door, removed dead trees and vegetation, cut pathways, and installed a barbecue bench for the public to use, at a personal cost of around £30,000.

However, public use of the site was brought into question when the couple stopped maintaining it amid a planning row with Mobberley Parish and Cheshire East councils.

The councils objected to the Traffords' proposed new garage for several reasons, including the land’s green belt and conservation area status, and concerns the new building could disturb the burial ground’s 350-year-old grade-II listed walls.

The Quaker Burial Ground appears on Historic England's list of significant monuments (Image: Newsquest)

“But common sense finally prevailed,” said 76-year-old Keith.

“We finally received full planning for our garage next to the old Quaker Burial Ground, after a two-year battle.

“The local Quakers had their first meeting on site on Sunday, August 11, attended by myself and my wife. 

“It marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox, the founder of the Quaker religion, in July 1624.

“It was a lovely day, and enjoying their worship with them made all our work complete."

Some of the graves dates back to the late 1600s (Image: Newsquest)

While Cheshire East planners were not ultimately satisfied the Trafford’s garage would have no impact on the surroundings, it turned out couple’s existing development rights allow them to build regardless. 

A Cheshire East planning officer’s report, dated May 7, said: “A garage of a very similar appearance and size – even potentially larger – could be built using the property’s permitted development rights without the requirement for planning permission.

“Due to this realistic alternative the applicant could pursue, it would be unreasonable for the local planning authority to refuse the application.”

Quakers were once persecuted as non-conformists, and as a result, can be flexible about where they hold worship meetings (Image: Keith Trafford)

While the Traffords never threatened to withdraw public access to the Burial Ground, which is located on a public footpath, they did decide to stop maintaining it, rendering it less accessible.

But with goodwill now restored, the site is once again fully open and usable. 

Keith added: “It’s quite an important site. The land was bought in 1695 by the Janney family from Styal.

“Thomas Janney lived in north America free from persecution for his religious beliefs but returned to Styal in 1695, and in 1697 died and is buried in the Quaker Burial Ground.

“We would like to thank the Quakers for their support, and all the local people who now enjoy the use of a well-kept Quaker Burial Ground.” 

Quakers are a Christian denomination known for their tolerance, as well as their ongoing campaigns for equality regardless of gender, race, social status, and any other external factors. 

They were the first religious group to formally recognise gay marriage in the UK, even before gay marriage was granted legal status, back in 2009.