Macclesfield Town Council has formally opposed the Adlington new town plans.

At an extraordinary meeting on Monday, February 2, council members voted in favour of a motion urging the government to abandon the proposal for a new town in Adlington.

The motion, put forward by councillor Fiona Wilson, says focus should instead go toward the development of existing brownfield and town centre sites.

Proposing the motion at Monday's meeting, she said: "This motion makes clear our objection to this proposal.

"We also have to be clear that the decision maker is the Secretary of State and not Macclesfield Town Council or Cheshire East Council and that this is a developer-led proposal made possible by local land owners selling their land along with the farms and the communities that settled on that land.

"Now, I moved a similar motion at Cheshire East Council to oppose the new town Adlington and this received the support of all councillors, whether politically affiliated or not. That's all councillors whatever their political affiliation.

"At that time back in December I called on all councillors, communities and campaigners to move forward as one.

"In some respects, this has happened and I repeat my call for this to be in a courteous and comradely manner. We will achieve far more if we stand together."

Councillor Wilson's motion was broken down into five sections.

Firstly, it states that Macclesfield Town Council notes the report and recommendations put forth by the New Towns Task Force.

Secondly, the council agrees that more housing is needed and that this must be delivered in the right places, prioritising 'brownfield and regeneration areas' rather than the green belt.

To aid this, the council is calling on the government to allocate funding to make it easier for brownfield sites to be brought back into use.

Councillor Wilson said: "The creation of a new town at Adlington would require a very significant investment in infrastructure otherwise it would overwhelm our vital services.

"We need the right homes in the right place and Adlington New Town just doesn't fit the bill.

"It is a flawed proposal."

She continued: "We must focus on prioritising development on brownfield and regeneration sites such as in town centres rather than on valuable green belt and farming land.

"Our policy here at Macclesfield Town Council has long been to support the regeneration of the town centre and the benefits this brings.

"Brownfield and regeneration sites are available but often difficult and costly to bring to fruition and so this motion calls on the government to allocate funds to make it easier for brownfield sites to be brought back into use."

The motion continues, voicing the council's disappointment at the lack of any 'prior or meaningful' engagement by the New Towns Task Force with local communities, businesses and parish councils.

The fourth point is that regarding to the council urging the government to abandon the Adlington proposals.

Last but not least, the motion states that Macclesfield Town Council notes that the publication of the draft proposals and final Strategic Environmental Assessment will be subject to public consultation and will comment in due course.