The tranquil village of Adlington, home to approximately 1,200 residents, is facing a huge transformation.
Identified by the Government’s New Towns Taskforce as one of a dozen potential development sites, the Cheshire spot could soon see the construction of a new town featuring between 14,000 and 20,000 homes.
The plan aims to address the national housing crisis, but has provoked strong opposition from local councils, residents, and environmental groups.
The proposed development, led by landowner Belport, envisages a substantial new settlement positioned between Macclesfield and Poynton, encroaching significantly on the green belt and surrounding farmland.
Local leaders warn that this scale of development risks irreversible loss of precious agricultural land and natural green spaces, undermining the rural character of Adlington and neighbouring parishes.
Simon Gleave, chairman of Adlington Parish Council, described the plan as ‘total devastation’ that would merge multiple small communities into one expansive town.
Speaking to BBC Politics North West, Gleave raised concerns about existing infrastructure capacities, noting that roads, schools, and healthcare services are already under pressure and would struggle to accommodate the increased population.
Opposition extends beyond Adlington, with Poynton Town Council alongside Bollington Town Council and Pott Shrigley Parish Council collectively rebuffing the plan.
These councils have submitted a joint letter to Housing Secretary Steve Reed, criticising the consultation process as ‘deeply flawed’ and calling for the withdrawal of the proposal to enable a transparent review through a new Local Plan.
Environmental organisations, such as charity CPRE Cheshire, have highlighted the significant environmental risks, sounding the alarm over the potential loss of nearly 1,000 hectares of green belt land adjacent to the Peak District.
They argue that developing on greenfield and farmland conflicts with established urban planning principles designed to prevent urban sprawl and conserve rural landscapes.
Concerns also include increased traffic congestion, pollution, flood risks, damage to local wildlife habitats, and the inadequacy of existing public transport infrastructure to serve the expanded population.
Grassroots campaigners, under the banner ‘Stop Adlington New Town,’ have mobilised residents to oppose the development and preserve the village’s rural identity.
The proposals have also caused fierce debate among locals on Reddit.
In the subreddit r/politics, one user wrote: ‘This area needs it. I live very close to Adlington and it’s terrifying thinking about where our children are going to live when they grow up…’
But others disagreed, with one user sharing: ‘I live very close to Adlington and we all know the mess this proposal will cause to what’s otherwise a nice area.’
And another said: ‘We all know government will just build a load of crappy housing estates, dump a load of people in them and expect them to drive everywhere. There will be a token effort at a few services, and that’ll be it.
‘Meanwhile all the surrounding towns will suffer with increased pollution and traffic. Oh and we all know the house prices will be huge.’
The challenge has reached a wider political stage with Tim Roca, Labour MP for Macclesfield, launching a Parliamentary petition to remove Adlington from the shortlist of proposed new town sites.
Roca emphasised the need to protect the village’s unique character and the surrounding green belt, pledging to present the petition formally in Parliament to ensure local views are fully represented in government decision-making.
Despite the opposition, Belport maintains that the project is essential to alleviating housing shortages in the region.
Freddie James, a developer with Belport, acknowledged local concerns over green space impacts and stated that the company is collaborating with local farmers to address relevant issues.
James also committed to including significant infrastructure improvements as part of the development, stressing ongoing engagement with residents, businesses, and civic leaders through “meaningful conversations” as the scheme advances.
A Government spokesperson reiterated that no final decisions would be taken before a comprehensive strategic environmental assessment is completed.
They affirmed that the New Towns Taskforce aims not only to increase housing supply but also to rethink community development to enhance quality of life.
The unfolding debate in Adlington highlights the complex balance between urgent national housing demands and the preservation of established local environments and lifestyles.
As residents, councils, and campaigners unite in opposition, the ultimate outcome remains uncertain amid calls for a more inclusive and thorough planning process.
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