Bollington Town Council has labeled plans to turn Adlington into a town a 'betrayal' of democracy.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, October 7, it was agreed that Bollington would formally object to the proposals to build thousands of homes in the neighbouring parish.

The council has also asked the MP for Macclesfield, Tim Roca, and a representative from Cheshire East Council to attend a future meeting to listen to the concerns of local councillors and clerks.

A statement released by the council reads: "Bollington Town Council with joint partnership with Poynton and Pott Shrigley Council is opposed to the recently announced plans for a 'new town' of 14,000 to 20,000 houses in the neighbouring parish of Adlington.

"Firstly, the town council objects in the strongest terms to the total lack of consultation with local people and their elected representatives on a matter of such importance.

"This is a betrayal of Britain's democratic traditions and will further erode public trust in the process of government.

"We jointly also believes that there are major planning issues and concerns which require that this application be withdrawn."

ALSO READ: Ward councillor's fury at not being informed about proposals for Adlington new town

Adlington Hall (Credit: John Swallow CC 3.0 Unchanged bit.ly/3Xhv139)

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Bollington Town Council's statement continues, highlighting specific concerns regarding the plans.

This includes the loss of a greenfield site and agricultural land, the threat posed to habitats and biodiversity, the inadequacy of public transport services and the 'severe' strain such a development would have on services such as schools, GP surgeries, clinics and dentists.

On the topic of traffic and pollution, the council's statement adds: "A development of this size will significantly increase traffic on already congested local roads.

"London Road to Poynton and Macclesfield is already extremely busy.

"The traffic forecasts used to design the Poynton Bypass did not include any development of this magnitude; the road and its junctions will be overwhelmed.

"The B5358 to the west is notorious for sharp S-bends and poor visibility; it has a bad accident record and is wholly unsuitable as an access route to a major building development.

"The extra traffic will result in a sharp increase in air pollution."

The statement concludes: "Bollington Town Council, Poynton Town Council and Pott Shrigley are urging Cheshire East Council that these deeply flawed proposals are withdrawn and a fair and open planning process for a new Local Plan allowed to proceed."

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