A quiet Cheshire village could soon be entirely transformed under Government-backed plans for a new town of between 14,000 and 20,000 homes, sparking outrage from local leaders and residents who have vowed to fight the proposal. The rural community of Adlington, home to around 1,250 people, has been identified as one of 12 possible sites for large-scale development by the government’s New Towns Taskforce to address the housing crisis. If approved, the scheme put forward by landowner Belport would see the creation of a major new settlement between Macclesfield and Poynton, swallowing up much of the surrounding green belt.
People across Adlington and the surrounding area, including parish leaders, environmental groups, and local MP Tim Roca, have voiced concerns about the impact of the proposals, saying that it could lead to irreversible harm to the green belt and put pressure on roads, schools, and health services. Simon Gleave, chairman of Adlington Parish Council also told BBC Politics North West the main concern was “the destruction of the local green belt and the farming land”.
He said: “All the parishes and the town councils were absolutely up in arms about it because it’s total devastation of their areas and it affects them all.
“It’ll be a merger of many towns and parishes into one big settlement. We can’t cope already with the current road system and the infrastructure.
“We’re going to join forces and it’s not going to happen in Adlington on my watch.”
Poynton Town Council confirmed that together with Bollington Town Council and Pott Shrigley Parish Council they have written to Housing Secretary Steve Reed stating that all three councils oppose the plans for the new town.
The letter states there was a “total lack of consultation with local people and their elected representatives on a matter of such importance.”
The letter added: “The three councils urge that these deeply flawed proposals are withdrawn and a fair and open planning process for a new Local Plan allowed to proceed.”
The councils highlighted that Adlington is largely agricultural, and building on greenfield land would result in the loss of farmland. They also warned that the development, which adjoins Stockport’s Woodford Garden Village, would extend the Greater Manchester conurbation deep into Cheshire, contravening long-standing urban planning principles.
Additional concerns include increased traffic, pollution, environmental damage, higher flood risk, and inadequate public transport, with the councils urging the government to withdraw the proposals and allow a fair, open planning process for a new Local Plan.
Tim Roca, Labour MP for Macclesfield, launched a Parliamentary petition on October 22, urging the Government to drop Adlington from the New Towns Taskforce shortlist.
He said: “This is no ordinary petition. It will be presented in parliament itself, at the heart of government.
“Adlington is a cherished part of our local community, and we must do everything we can to protect its character and surrounding green belt.”
Developer Belport said the project presents “an opportunity to address housing pressure in the area.” Freddie James, developer at Belport, said the firm was “very aware that there will be concerns about the impact on green spaces and farmland” and said the company is collaborating with local farmers to protect their interests. He also said that any development would include improvements to the local infrastructure.
He added: “With the Government’s announcement, our focus has now turned to local engagement, design, and planning – all of which we recognise must be rooted in meaningful conversations with local residents, businesses, and civic leaders.”
The Government said no decisions will be made until a strategic environmental assessment has been completed.
A spokesperson said following the task force’s recommendations: “The Government will be looking for assurance that any location can be effectively and efficiently delivered in partnership with local communities, has a clear economic purpose, and will support national economic growth.
“New towns provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to both provide the homes that people need but also fundamentally reshape the way that large-scale communities are built in this country.
“We will work tirelessly across Government and with delivery partners and local communities to ensure that new towns are, in the words of the task force, not just places to live, but places to live well.”