Cheshire East Council’s corporate policy committee has reached a decisive agreement to formally oppose the inclusion of Adlington in the Government’s New Towns programme. Leaders Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman confirmed that the authority will submit a rigorous response to the ongoing public consultation to ensure the village is removed from future consideration.
Adlington was first targeted by the Government’s New Towns Taskforce in September 2025. This sparked immediate local resistance, leading to a unanimous council vote in December to object to the plans. While the site was omitted from the seven priority locations announced in March 2026, it remains listed as an alternative option, prompting this latest move to secure the area’s exclusion.
Timeline of the Adlington New Town dispute
| Date | Development Stage |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | Adlington identified by the New Towns Taskforce |
| December 2025 | Cheshire East Council votes unanimously to object |
| March 2026 | Site excluded from the primary list of seven priority locations |
| May 2026 | Council agrees formal response to the national consultation |
Strategic conflict with local planning framework
The council’s objection centers on the fact that the proposal contradicts the established Cheshire East Local Plan. In a joint statement, Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman emphasized that any major development must be plan-led rather than imposed externally. The authority has already communicated these concerns to the Secretary of State, noting that the New Town vision fails to align with several existing national planning policies.
By defending the village from large-scale development, the council aims to protect the integrity of its long-term strategic framework. While the leadership acknowledges the national pressure for affordable housing, they maintain that infrastructure and employment needs must be met through sustainable, locally-guided growth.
Cheshire East Council will continue to use its adopted Local Plan Strategy as the primary tool for managing development. The formal response to the Government consultation is intended to provide a final, clear representation of the concerns voiced by town councils, parish councils, and local residents over the past year.
Source: Cheshire East Council
