Protestors gathered outside Adlington Hall to oppose plans to build thousands of homes in the area.

Belport, the developers behind the Adlington new town plans, hosted a public consultation at the Grade I-listed country estate on Saturday, November 15.

The Supporters of Adlington Greenbelt Facebook group took this opportunity to send a message to the firm, gathering in their hundreds.

Organiser Kasim Awan said: "The proposal has caused a ripple of outrage which hasn't been anecdotally or objectively seen from any of the other new towns.

"The plans to erase hundreds of years of farming over an area the size of 1,500 football pitches, has enraged the farming community; a loss of three million litres of milk annually and 115,000kg of beef annually.

"The infliction on wildlife has caused major alarm. This area hosts a pocket of exceptional wildlife, seldom seen on the border of a nation park, has caused the mobilisation of several official groups to challenge and officiate the losses imposed on nature.

"This proposal has massively surpassed the border of what is socially acceptable."

Hundreds of protestors lined the streets outside Adlington Hall (Credit: Gekko Media)

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In response to the protest, Freddie James, director at Belport, said: "We are aware that a peaceful protest took place on Saturday, and we recognise that many people have strong views about the possibility of a new town at Adlington.

"This weekend's engagement sessions were the first of many and mark the very beginning of a long process.

"It is important to us that local people are involved every step of the way.

"We understand the concerns that have been raised, particularly around green space and farmland."

He added: "Our proposals are at an early stage and will evolve through open, meaningful conversations with the community.

"Early ideas include a significant amount of affordable housing, new community facilities, schools and health centres, alongside improvements to local transport and around 40% of the land being kept as publicly accessible open space.

"We will continue to listen closely to residents and local groups as we develop the plans."

Belport say they will 'listen closely' to residents as they develop the plans (Credit: Gekko Media)

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Adlington resident Jane Hattersley was among those who secured a space on one of the 45-minute small group sessions hosted by Belport.

However, she felt the firm showed 'a distinct lack of knowledge of the area;.

Jane added: "For example, the A555 floods three or four times a year, and was flooded on the day of the engagement session.

"They stated it was a one in 10-year event and were unaware of any recent flooding.

"How can we trust such a company to manage flood risk when they are unaware of the severity of flooding in the area?"

A fellow Adlington resident in attendance, who has asked not to be named, added: "Absolutely awful engagement event to be honest, no knowledge of farming and what we are set to lose locally and what we produce in Adlington.

"No part of Adlington seems 'safe' from this masterplan as they call it and Freddie James himself had no answers for any of the questions we put to him and didn't show a scrap of empathy."

Concerns have been raised about flooding, infrastructure and the destruction of green space (Credit: Gekko Media)

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