A plan for a new town at Adlington is such an unsustainable proposition it almost defies belief and should not be supported, objectors say.
Landowners Belport Adlington Limited have submitted proposals for a standalone new town of 14,000 to 20,000 homes on approximately 970 hectares of greenfield land around the existing village.
Lilian Burns, speaking on behalf of countryside charity CPRE, told yesterday's (Wednesday) meeting of Cheshire East Council: "The new towns task force report, which recommends locating a new town at Adlington, describes it as a standalone settlement, it would not be.
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"It would close up the green belt gap between Poynton, Bollington and Macclesfield."
She continued: "What we're looking at here is, in effect, an extension of the Greater Manchester conurbation deep into Cheshire and all along the north west border of the Peak District National Park, and with it would come all the air and noise pollution of the conurbation.
"This is no exaggeration. The green belts were set up to give access for urban dwellers to the countryside and fresh air, as well as to separate towns from each other.
"CPRE supports the right kind of development in the right places. That does include some of the new town recommendations, which are on brown fields."
Simon Gleave, chair of Adlington Parish Council, said the shock of discovering this rural area should be considered suitable for a new town of about 20,000 homes, 'is still raw'.
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"It came as a shock to our MP Tim Roca, who we are grateful to for immediately expressing his opposition to the proposal," said Cllr Gleave.
And he demanded to know why Cheshire East had not made its views known or been in contact with parish councils.
"Very oddly, there has been only silence from Cheshire East regarding their view of the proposal...
"This is somewhat astonishing," he said.
He added: "It is even more astonishing that the full Cheshire East Council meeting to be held after the government announcement is not debating this matter.
"The residents of north east Cheshire are waiting to hear the view of the principal authority on this hugely important issue which would have far reaching effects on them.
"Will you please do us the courtesy of engaging with us and discussing this matter?"
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Deputy leader Michael Gorman (Wilmslow, Ind) said: "It's important to note that Cheshire East Council had no role in these developments or proposals."
He said the applications were from landowners within the borough.
"The applicants contacted the council to make aware, in confidence, of their applications," said Cllr Gorman.
"The task force met with officers in May 2025 to ask questions on locations, economic opportunities and challenges and the council wrote to the task force supporting opportunities in principle for new towns but really highlighted the major planning and delivery and infrastructure challenges as been highlighted today by our questioners.
He added: "The council has had no role or influence. This is an independent review.
"The council now awaits further information from the government on these proposals, with an expectation that more information will now be published in the spring, which we can then bring back to this full council for discussion and debate."