Plans to build at least 10,000 homes in Adlington appeared to have been shelved.

The Government has confirmed which of the seven proposed new towns it will take forward to the next stage, having announced an initial shortlist of 12 last September.

Following months of protests involving residents and farmers, Adlington has now been dropped from consideration.

However, there is potential that the greenbelt site may be developed on regardless.

A statement on the government website reads: "The Government also assessed six further New Town locations — Adlington, Heyford Park, Marlcombe, Plymouth, South Barking and Wychavon Town — which will not be taken forward as New Towns at this stage but are deemed to be credible development opportunities and may continue to be supported through existing housing programmes."

Proposed locations of the seven new towns

• Tempsford, Bedfordshire — up to 40,000 homes built around a new East West Rail station, linking residents to Cambridge, Oxford, London and Milton Keynes 
• Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield — up to 21,000 homes helping to meet London's acute housing need 
• Leeds South Bank, West Yorkshire — up to 20,000 homes capitalising on the city's economic momentum and the government's £2.1 billion local transport investment 
• Manchester Victoria North, Greater Manchester — at least 15,000 homes regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city 
• Thamesmead, Greenwich — up to 15,000 homes unlocking inaccessible riverside land in London, enabled by the planned Docklands Light Railway extension 
• Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, South Gloucestershire — up to 40,000 homes at the heart of a world-class research and advanced engineering economy 
• Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire — building on its history as one of the original new towns, to take forward the 'renewed town' vision to expand the city by around 40,000 homes and reinvigorate the centre with a new local transport system, boosting connectivity in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor 

Sir Michael Lyons, previous chair of the New Towns Taskforce, said: "I warmly welcome the government's decision to progress seven of the locations recommended by the New Towns Taskforce and to continue discussions in the remaining areas.

"The consultation provides an opportunity to reflect on lessons from the past and inform a new generation of new towns that can support sustainable growth and create places of lasting value.

"This is just the ambitious response we hoped for."

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Housing Secretary Steve Reed added: "People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities.

"Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future. From the ground up, we're planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together — so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve."