Cheshire East Council say they did not propose the plans to turn Adlington into a town.

On Sunday, September 28, the government's New Towns Taskforce announced 12 potential locations which could be turned into towns with at least 10,000 homes.

This included the suggestion of creating a 'standalone settlement' in Adlington to serve the growing industries in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Cheshire East has now confirmed such submissions were prepared independently and not proposed by the council.

A spokesperson said: "We note the recommendations announced by the New Towns Taskforce on Sunday, and the initial response to this from the Government. 

"The response includes Adlington, near Macclesfield, as one of the recommended locations for a new town.

"The submissions considered have been prepared independently and not proposed by Cheshire East Council.

"The council now awaits further information from the government on these proposals, with an expectation that more information will be published in the spring."

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ALSO READ: MP 'deeply concerned' by plans to turn Adlington into a town

Adlington has been included in the New Towns Taskforce's shortlist of 12 locations for development (Credit: Google Maps)

The New Towns Taskforce, led by Sir Michael Lyons, was commissioned by the government to explore different approaches to large-scale development.

In its report, the taskforce has recommended a mixture of large-scale communities including urban extensions, urban regeneration, and standalone greenfield sites should be built.

It says each new town should have at least 10,000 homes with an ambition for a minimum of 40% affordable housing and half of which will be for social rent.

While Adlington has been touted, sites at Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank are understood to be the most promising for development at this time.

Tim Roca has voiced his concerns about the plans (Credit: UK Parliament)

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca was quick to voice his concerns about what such a development would mean for the area's green belt.

He said: "While the Government has stressed that this is only the very earliest stage of consideration, and I will review any proposals with care, I want to be absolutely clear: I cannot and will not support a scheme that would inflict significant, large-scale, and irreversible harm on our cherished Green Belt.

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"We need more housing, but it must be delivered in the right places. That means prioritising brownfield land and regeneration sites, including opportunities in Macclesfield town centre, not carving up valued countryside that communities rightly want to see protected."

Mr Roca continued: "I understand that Cheshire East Council is working on its own considered plans to meet local housing needs. I will continue to work closely with the council and local residents to ensure their voices are heard.

"I am already speaking with ministers and will liaise with the independent New Towns Taskforce to raise my urgent concerns. I will continue to press at every stage to protect important green belt land around Macclesfield and its communities."