Macclesfield's MP joined residents as they protested plans to turn Adlington into a town.

Dozens of people gathered at the roundabout on Poynton Relief Road on Saturday (November 8) to make their voices heard over proposals to build at least 14,000 homes in the area.

It was the demonstration organised by the Supporters of Adlington Greenbelt Facebook group following the publication of an independent report from the New Towns Taskforce.

Among those in attendance was Labour MP Tim Roca, who fears such a development would cause 'irreversible harm'.

He said: "On Saturday I stood shoulder to shoulder with local residents at the protest in Adlington to send a clear and united message, our community will not accept a new town of 14,000-plus homes.

"With more than 3,000 people already signing my local petition, and more adding their names every day, it is clear that local people feel strongly that this development would cause irreversible harm to our green belt, overwhelm local infrastructure and fundamentally change the character of our towns and villages."

Dozens gathered in protest on Saturday, November 8 (Credit: Gekko Media)

The Adlington new town project is being led by Belport, a UK-based investment and management company.

Freddie James, director at Belport, said: "Adlington will become a significant contributor to growth in the region, by providing new employment spaces and opportunities, homes for workers, and improved infrastructure.

"As such it will make a significant contribution to local, regional and national taxes and in return, residents will be able to access Government services like other residents of the area."

Also taking part in Saturday's protest was Liz Goodfellow, part of a farming family in Adlington.

She said: "Food security should be at the top of the list of priorities for our country but it's not even on the list.

"Outsourcing our food production means our food prices will be completely exposed to global shocks in the market.

"We won't be able to have the same control over the quality and animal welfare standards of our food, which are very high in this country.

"Wide-scale loss of productive greenbelt farmland means that inevitably there will be more pressure on the few remaining farms to intensify their practices at the expense of the climate, biodiversity and habitat."

Dozens took part in Saturday's protest (Credit: Gekko Media)

Kate Robinson, a Macclesfield resident who was in attendance on Saturday, added: "The major science businesses in the area are reliant upon attracting top talent from all over the UK and abroad.

"The science 'corridor' will become much less appealing to graduates in particular, who value the benefits of living in peaceful, beautiful rural locations nearby."

The next planned protest is on Saturday, November 15.

It will take place outside the gates of Adlington Hall where it is understood Belport will be holding meetings.

A third protest is scheduled for Saturday, November 15 (Credit: Gekko Media)