Cheshire East is being urged by its councillors to fight controversial proposals for a new town at Adlington.

Up to 20,000 homes could be built on greenfield land around the existing village after the government revealed Adlington is one of 12 sites being considered for a new standalone town.

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca (Lab) announced his opposition to the proposal shortly after the government's announcement in September that the land was being considered for possible large-scale development.

At full council this week, councillors of varying political colours will be calling on Cheshire East to urge the government to abandon the Adlington proposal.

A motion from Macclesfield Labour councillors Fiona Wilson and Judy Snowball states the Adlington plan should be scrapped and the focus should be on the development of existing brownfield and town centre sites.

It calls on the council's leader and deputy to write to the government to confirm the council's opposition to the proposal.

A second motion from Conservatives Mike Sewart (Poynton West & Adlington) and Thelma Jackson (Prestbury) also calls on the council to inform the government of its opposition to the Adlington proposal.

It states: "The decision to put forward this motion has been taken because of the wholesale opposition to the new town proposal by the people of Adlington, a small village in some of the greenest green belt in the county.

"That opposition has been unequivocally supported by all the surrounding town and parish councils in Bollington, Pott Shrigley, Poynton and Prestbury."

Map of Adlington in the wider Cheshire East/Greater Manchester area (Credit: New Towns Taskforce)

The motions will be discussed at Wednesday's meeting of the full council, rather than referred to the relevant committee as is usually the case.

They come in the wake of news that a letter was sent in June by Cheshire East's leader Nick Mannion (Lab) and deputy Michael Gorman (Ind) to the New Towns Task Force, which appeared to support the controversial development.

Since the letter became public following a freedom of information request, the two councillors have issued a joint statement saying: "As a local authority committed to sustainable growth and long-term placemaking, we do also recognise 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, including affordable and social housing which would support the economy and local businesses to ensure Cheshire East can retain skilled workers.

"In June, we wrote a letter to government to raise these points.

"However, recognising potential does not equate to unconditional support."

The motions will be discussed at the full council meeting which takes place at 11am on Wednesday, December 10, at Tatton Park.