A new report from CPRE Cheshire raises serious concerns about proposals to build a large new town on Greenbelt land around Adlington.
The report questions the suitability of the site for a development of 14,000–20,000 homes, which could house up to 50,000 people—effectively creating a new town the size of nearby Macclesfield.
The report was motiviated by the conviction that Adlington is poor location for a new town and that the recommendation would not have been made were it not the letter implying support sent by the leader and deputy leader of Cheshire East Council last year.
Infrastructure is major concern. Adlington is a small rural settlement with limited road, rail and public services. A development of this size would require major new infrastructure investment, raising doubts about whether the location is suitable for such a large settlement.
The findings reinforce the concerns raised by our campaign. We argue that housing need should be met by prioritising brownfield redevelopment and urban regeneration, rather than building over valuable countryside.
With decisions about potential new towns still to come, the CPRE report adds weight to the growing case that Adlington is the wrong place for a development on this scale.