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New Towns – Government proposals

The New Towns Taskforce was an independent expert advisory panel appointed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in September 2024 to support the government in delivering the next generation of new towns.

On 28 September 20025 the Government published the Taskforce’s report to government, which includes recommendations on the potential locations and delivery of new towns.

One of the locations identified is Adlington, near Macclesfield.

On submission of the report the work of the taskforce ended. The government published an initial response to the report and outlined the next steps.

Cheshire East Council’s position

Cheshire East Council has unanimously supported a notice of motion to formally object to the Government’s proposal for a New Town on land at Adlington.

The New Town proposal for Adlington was brought forward without any formal involvement of any Cheshire East Councillor, including the Leader and Deputy Leader nor any chair or vice-chair of any of the Council’s committees.

While there is a recognition that there is a need for additional housing, particularly affordable housing, locally and nationally, and the Leader and Deputy have written to the Secretary of State previously, recognising the role that appropriately planned and delivered New Towns could play, the notice of motion identifies many reasons for the Council’s objection to the Adlington proposals, including:

  • The proposition is at odds with several of the Government’s own planning policies.
  • Any new sites should be brought forward in a planned way as part of the Local Plan process.
  • The site at Adlington encompasses many hectares of high-quality grazing land, with several long-established farms.
  • The site also includes many other areas of land with recognised ecological value.
  • The proposed New Town would create a run of continuous built form from Macclesfield to Stockport, which would be at odds with the established purpose of including land within the Green Belt.

The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council have written to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government (the decision maker) asserting the Council’s opposition to the proposed New Town at Adlington and setting out the reasons for its opposition.

Read the letter to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government (MS Word, 775KB)

The process for identifying New Towns

The process for identifying new towns has been led by the New Towns Taskforce at the request of central government and chaired by Sir Michael Lyons.

The taskforce held an open call for developers and landowners to submit sites for consideration by them. Cheshire East Council did not submit any sites and did not work with any developer or landowner on the submission of their sites to the taskforce.  

Recommendations by the taskforce to government, including the proposed locations, have been prepared independently and were not put forward by Cheshire East Council.

Cheshire East Council’s involvement with the proposals to date has been limited – with officers responding to questions from the New Towns Taskforce.  

Next steps for Government

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Homes England are now gathering further information to evaluate the proposals put forward by the taskforce.

We have been advised by the Government that:

  • Government has commissioned specialist consultants to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
  • Homes England has commissioned consultants to evaluate all 12 New Towns proposals, assessing impacts and benefits to inform potential business planning.
  • This work is expected to be completed by end of January 2026.
  • It is then expected that the government will publish draft proposals and the final SEA for inclusion in a public consultation in spring. This will allow the council, elected members, town and parish councils, businesses, and residents to submit views.
  • Details of how the consultation will operate have not yet been confirmed.
  • Following the consultation, results will be reported to the Minister for consideration.
  • A decision on the proposals by government is expected in May / June 2026.

More updates will be shared on this webpage as soon as more information becomes available.

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27 November 2025 

Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, and councillor Michael Gorman, deputy leader, said:

“The potential new towns locations announced by the Government in September were prepared independently by the New Towns Taskforce. The proposal for Adlington has not been developed or promoted by Cheshire East Council officers or councillors."

"The council’s involvement with the proposals to date has been very limited – with officers responding to enquiries and requests for information from the New Towns Taskforce."

"We are acutely aware of the concerns raised by local communities and stakeholders about Adlington being one of the potential locations, and we believe that any potential future development must be shaped by meaningful engagement, robust evidence, and a clear understanding of local impacts."

"As a local authority committed to sustainable growth and long-term placemaking, we do also recognise that new towns – if appropriately planned and delivered – could play a valuable role in creating inclusive new communities and helping to meet local housing, infrastructure and employment needs, including affordable and social housing which would support the economy and local businesses to ensure Cheshire East can retain skilled workers."

"In June, we wrote a letter to government to raise these points."

"However, recognising potential does not equate to unconditional support. Any proposals must be carefully assessed for their impact on existing communities, infrastructure, and the environment."

"Like other councils where sites for potential new towns have been suggested, we are awaiting further information from the Government. We understand from them that more information will be published in the spring, and a final decision is anticipated in May/June 2026.” 

They added: “We have made it clear to Government that, for any such proposals to work for our communities, we need the right infrastructure, and any proposals must fit into our wider local strategic planning policy and plans."

"Cheshire East Council remains committed to a plan-led approach to development, as set out in the adopted Local Plan Strategy, and to ensuring that the views of local communities are fully considered in all planning matters."

"Our intention and ask going forward is to work collaboratively with the Government, Homes England, and other partners so that, should the proposal for Adlington progress, we are in a position to ensure local matters are fully considered.” 

Page last reviewed: 23 December 2025