Adlington is celebrating the news the village is no longer on the shortlist of sites for a new town but local councillors fear it could be targeted for smaller housing proposals.

Adlington was one of 12 sites being considered by the government for a new standalone town, with up to 20,000 homes proposed on greenfield land around the existing village.

The government has now named the seven locations which will be carried forward – and Adlington isn't on that shortlist, although the five areas removed from the list are still considered as 'credible development opportunities'.

Cllr Michael Beanland (Con) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he was delighted with the announcement, but he feared it was a 'reprieve rather than a clearance'.

"It's a welcome relief and I'm sure Adlington are going to have a party on the back of it, but I think we've got to be careful," said the Cheshire East councillor who represents Poynton West and Adlington.

"It seems to have stopped the 20,000 development, which is fine, but now all we're going to get is a plethora of smaller applications."

Fellow ward councillor Mike Sewart (Con) said it was 'fantastic news' Adlington was not on the shortlist.

"The amount of work that's been put in by everybody, and primarily the working groups in Adlington, has been immense," he said.

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"They deserve knighthoods the lot of them, as does Simon Gleave, Adlington Parish Council chairman."

Councillors Beanland, Sewart, Saunders and Whitaker have responded to the Adlington new town decision (Credit: CEC)

Poynton councillors Jos Saunders and Hayley Whitaker, who had also been out campaigning with residents against the proposed new town, were also delighted with the news – but they too fear the council will be flooded with smaller applications.

Cllr Saunders (Con) told the LDRS: "I'm obviously very, very pleased with the news.

"I'm delighted for all the farmers and households who had been adversely affected by the scheme, however we need to keep a watchful brief because there may still be some building work in terms of the local plan and we await to see the results of that."

She added: "My colleagues and I have always worked tirelessly to protect the green belt, so we're delighted with this news."

Cllr Whitaker (Con) said: "I absolutely welcome the fact we've dropped off the shortlist for the new town initiative but what concerns me is it's been made very clear from the government we're still on the radar at some level, we're still here as a 'credible development opportunity' for other government initiatives."

She praised the work of local campaigners.

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But she added: "Whilst I don't want to diminish the success, I think we do have to remain vigilant because, from my perspective, I think Adlington could be subject to further development proposals.

"What I'm concerned about is developers just change track and we end up with this piecemeal of 500 homes now, 500 homes in three years' time with no infrastructure."