The petition of residents of the constituency of Macclesfield and neighbouring boroughs,
Declares that the small village of Adlington, Cheshire (with a population of approximately 1,250) has been highlighted by the New Towns Taskforce as a potential site for large-scale development; further declares that, while the plans are only in the early stage of consideration, the scheme would risk inflicting significant, large-scale and irreversible harm to a cherished area of Green Belt on the edge of a National Park; further declares that the construction of the indicated minimum of 14,000 homes there would completely change the nature of Adlington village and the surrounding area, and put immense strain on already stretched local services; and further declares that Cheshire East Council has met its housing targets in the past and would do so again under a democratically agreed local development plan, which would ensure that development happens in the right places, with the right infrastructure.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to abandon the proposal for a new town in Adlington, Cheshire.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tim Roca, Official Report, 17 December 2025; Vol. 777, c. 1029.]
[P003154]
Observations from the Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook):
In their initial response, the Government warmly welcomed all 12 of the locations recommended. Prima facie, each has the clear potential to deliver on the Government’s objectives, with Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising as sites that might make significant contributions to unlocking economic growth and accelerating housing delivery.
The Government have commenced a strategic environmental assessment to understand the environmental implications of new towns development. This will support final decisions on precisely which locations we take forward. No final decisions on locations will be made until that SEA concludes and preferred locations could change as a result of the process.
In parallel, my Department has been working with local partners to develop detailed proposals and enhance our understanding of how different locations might meet the Government’s expectations of what a future new towns programme can deliver, with all promising sites and reasonable alternatives assessed and considered through the SEA process. Appropriate assessment under the habitats regulations will also be undertaken when required.
We are determined to get spades in the ground on at least three new towns in this Parliament and the Government are prepared to progress work on a far larger range of locations if it proves possible.
The Government will publish draft proposals and a final SEA for public consultation in due course, before confirming the locations that will be progressed as new towns later this year, alongside a full response to the new towns taskforce’s report.