Macclesfield's MP has raised concerns over plans to turn Adlington into a town.

The government has today (September 28) confirmed it will progress work on the next generation of new towns across England, following the publication of an independent report from the New Towns Taskforce recommending 12 potential locations.

Among them is the suggestion of creating a 'standalone settlement' in Adlington to serve the growing industries in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

However, Tim Roca is worried about the impact such a development would have on the area's green belt.

He said: "I am deeply concerned by today's news that Adlington has been highlighted by the New Towns Taskforce as a potential site for large-scale development.

"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.

"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.

"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."

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.

The government intends to begin building in at least three new towns in this Parliament and is prepared to progress work on a 'far larger range' of locations if it proves possible.

At this moment, sites at Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank are understood to be the most promising for development.

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be undertaken to understand the environmental implications of developing new towns.

No final decisions on locations will be made until this assessment concludes and preferred locations could change as a result of the process. 

The government will publish the draft proposals and final SEA for consultation in Spring, before confirming the locations that will be progressed as new towns soon after.