Council says new town involvement 'very limited'

Protests have taken place against the plans

An authority where a controversial new town has been proposed said its involvement has been "very limited".

A response to an FOI request shared by an opposition councillor shows that Cheshire East Council's leader and deputy leader sent a letter to the New Towns Task Force to "reaffirm" its support for new town proposals currently under consideration.

A proposal for thousands of new homes in Adlington, submitted by a developer and not by the council, has led to campaigns and protests in the area.

The council said it had written to the government to "recognise" that new towns could play a role in meeting local housing need but that "recognising potential does not equate to unconditional support".

Local parish councils are against the plans

Developer Belport's proposals could include up to 20,000 new homes around the village of Adlington in north Cheshire.

When the area was named as one of the potential locations by the New Towns Taskforce, the council said it "noted" the recommendations and it awaited further information from the government.

At a full council meeting a few days later the deputy leader, independent Michael Gorman, said the authority had "no role" in the proposals.

Councillor Gorman told the meeting the task force had met with council officers in May 2025 to ask questions and that, after this, had written to the task force.

The letter from Nick Mannion, the authority's Labour leader, and councillor Gorman, was shared on social media by Conservative councillor Chris O'Leary.

"Following your recent meeting in Crewe, I am writing on behalf of Cheshire East Council to reaffirm our support for the [redacted] new town proposals currently under consideration by the New Town Task Force," the letter, dated June 2025, said.

It also said the leaders wished to "emphasise the importance of rail connectivity", and said the Stockport-Macclesfield-Stoke rail line was "highly relevant" to the Adlington proposal.

Local councillors said people in the area were "up in arms" about the plans, and a number have protests have taken place.

Deputy leader Michael Gorman and leader Nick Mannion wrote to the task force after a meeting

In a statement from the leaders, they said the council's involvement with the proposals to date "has been very limited".

"We are acutely aware of the concerns raised by local communities and stakeholders about Adlington being one of the potential locations, and we believe that any potential future development must be shaped by meaningful engagement, robust evidence, and a clear understanding of local impacts," they said.

They added they recognised that new towns "if appropriately planned and delivered, could play a valuable role in creating inclusive new communities and helping to meet local housing, infrastructure and employment needs".

"However, recognising potential does not equate to unconditional support. Any proposals must be carefully assessed for their impact on existing communities, infrastructure, and the environment," they said.

Strategic economic assessments are under way for all 12 locations suggested as a potential new town, with final decisions set to be made next year.