Try GOLD - Free

New town plan for 20,000 homes is 'reckless'

Manchester Evening News

|

October 09, 2025

'SOMEONE IN WESTMINSTER THROWING A DART AT A MAP' SAYS COUNCIL CHIEF

- By DECLAN CAREY

THE leader of Stockport council has criticised huge plans for a new 20,000-home town on Greater Manchester's border describing it as 'someone in Westminster throwing a dart at a map'.

The New Towns Taskforce was set up by the government to find areas suitable for building new homes at scale, aimed at making a 'significant contribution to meeting housing demand in England'.

One of the sites earmarked for huge expansion is the village of Adlington in Cheshire East, located just a few miles away from the boundary with Stockport.

The proposal was submitted by landowners Belport Adlington Limited, to create a standalone new town of between 14,000 to 20,000 homes on around 970 hectares of greenfield land.

But concerns are growing that thousands of future residents in the new Cheshire town could end up commuting through Stockport to the town centre or towards Manchester city centre, and using local services in the borough.

Mark Roberts, leader of Stockport council and of the Liberal Democrats at Stockport town hall, said the impact the new town could have on existing communities has been ignored by the government.

"This seems like another example of the Labour government recklessly bulldozing over the green belt to meet its unrealistic housing targets," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Their targets aren't feasible, they are frantically announcing building as much as they can, wherever they can, and are ignoring local people's wishes in the process.

"Someone in a boardroom in Westminster throwing a dart at a map to see which bit of Cheshire green belt it lands on isn't good governance and will be deeply unpopular with local residents.

MORE STORIES FROM Manchester Evening News

Manchester Evening News

United eye move for Brentford chief Manek

MANCHESTER United look set to appoint Brentford's chief operating officer, Ameesh Manek, as the club's new director of football operations.

time to read

1 min

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

Manchester Evening News

£50m redevelopment plan for Carrington Academy building

MANCHESTER United have announced the academy building at Carrington will be redeveloped.

time to read

1 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

'mediocrity' had to be cut from club

SIR Jim Ratcliffe has defended his brutal cost-cutting measures at Manchester United and said they were needed to cut out “mediocrity” at the club.

time to read

2 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

20mph limit roll-out shifts another gear

DECISION TO DROP SPEED AIMED AT STANDARDISING THE CITY FOLLOWING SURGE IN ROAD INJURIES AND DEATHS

time to read

2 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

Three-year extension to Canon deal

MANCHESTER United have announced a three-year extension with Canon Medical Systems.

time to read

1 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

'I WANT TO INSPIRE AND ENTERTAIN'

RUGBY LEAGUE Winning is not enough for Wigan head coach Matt Peet as he prepares for his side's quest to become only the third to secure three consecutive Super League Grand Finals when they face Hull KR at Old Trafford on Saturday night.

time to read

2 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

Venue goes Gaga for Mayhem Ball extravaganza

ADAM MAIDMENT WATCHES SHOW THAT'S 'ONE OF THE BEST HE'S EVER BEEN TO'

time to read

4 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

New town plan for 20,000 homes is 'reckless'

'SOMEONE IN WESTMINSTER THROWING A DART AT A MAP' SAYS COUNCIL CHIEF

time to read

3 mins

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

BRIGHT SPARK

Cosy season is here, so it's time to snuggle up and relax in the glow of a lovely lamp, says HANNAH BRITT

time to read

1 min

October 09, 2025

Manchester Evening News

Al-Shamie called 999 at atrocity

COUNTER-TERROR police have revealed terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie called 999 during last Thursday's attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall and 'pledged allegiance to Islamic State!

time to read

2 mins

October 09, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size