A campaign to stop the proposals to establish a new town in Adlington continues to build momentum.

Over 400 people gathered along the Poynton Relief Road on Saturday, November 30, in a bid to make their voices heard.

It was the latest in a series of demonstrations aimed at getting landowners Belport to ditch plans to build at least 14,000 homes in the parish.

Organiser Kasim Awan, from the 'Supporters of Adlington Greenbelt' Facebook group, said: "An incredible 400 people, 20 tractors and 20 Land Rover Defenders took part in Sunday's protest, uniting residents and the farming to community in their defiance against the imposition of a 20,000 house new town on cherished greenbelt.

"This campaign, at its heart, is motivated by preserving not only an area of spectacular farmland and nature, but also the nation's food supply, and British farming heritage as a whole.

"The farming industry is under attack from so many angles right now, and the loss of 2,700 acres of farmland in this area within a few years represents a sudden loss of extremely valuable assets to Britain which we must protect.

"There are better ways to address the demand for housing, using brownfield sites, the destruction of greenbelt is motivated by nothing more than greed.

"The locals and farming community know this and will not stand for the destruction of their area to fulfil profit to others."

20 tractors took part in Sunday's protest (Credit: Julie Latham)

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The protests follow the publication of an independent report from the Government's New Towns Taskforce.

The report recommended 12 potential locations for the development, including the suggestion of creating a 'standalone settlement' in Adlington.

Belport, the firm driving the plans forward, say such a development will include a 'significant amount' of affordable housing as well as new community facilities, schools and health centres, alongside improvements to local transport.

Company director Freddie James said: "We understand the concerns that have been raised, particularly around green space and farmland.

"Our proposals are at an early stage and will evolve through open, meaningful conversations with the community.

"We will continue to listen closely to residents and local groups as we develop the plans."

The number of protestors has increased at each demonstration (Credit: Julie Latham)

Since the plans first came to light in September, the Supporters of Adlington Greenbelt Facebook group has organised four protests.

Organiser Sarah Burrows said: "It was hard not to be emotional on Sunday.

"We will not give up, do not listen to anyone saying this is a done deal - those people are sitting at home doing nothing - we will fight this together and with all of you standing alongside us, we can win."