National CPRE CEO writes to Secretary of State opposing Adlington New Town

Last week we met again with the Macclesfield MP, Tim Roca, to discuss how we can most effectively campaign against proposals for a New Town at Adlington.

One action Tim suggested was a letter of opposition from CPRE’s national Chief Executive to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). CPRE has been clear that New Towns are welcome when located on suitable brownfield sites but that Green Belt locations such as Adlington are entirely inappropriate.

We asked our CEO – Roger Mortlock – if he would be happy to write such a letter, and he agreed. He has now written the letter and sent it to Tim for forwarding.

****Update 3 February 2026****

Roger has received a reply to his letter. The response from the MHCLG notes Roger’s concerns and explains the process the government is following in progressing the New Towns programme.

Text of letter to the Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP

22 December 2025

Dear Secretary of State

Adlington proposed New Town

I am writing to you regarding the proposed Adlington new town and our specific concerns around the chosen site.

We first want to say that CPRE has engaged positively with the report of the New Towns Task Force to government. While we do not support every proposal, we are pleased to see the proposals for new towns on previously developed land in Bristol, Leeds, Manchester Victoria, Marlcombe, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Plymouth.

We are delighted that the government has looked towards delivering new towns on brownfield sites where possible and on the renewed emphasis in the recent draft NPPF on urban and suburban densification and the importance of a brownfield first approach.

However, one of the proposals we are most concerned about is in Adlington in Cheshire. While we recognise the need to bring forward more homes, we believe that prioritising development in towns, particularly on brownfield sites, would be more effective to meet the demand for housing and growth in this part of the country.

We believe that the loss of 1,000 hectares of Cheshire’s Green Belt including a significant amount of farmland, the damage to the natural environment and the lack of suitable infrastructure to support the proposed 20,000 homes means that the problems with this site outweigh the potential benefits.

Proposals in the draft NPPF encourage development around train stations, including in the green belt, where there is a regular train service. For most of the day, the train station at Adlington only runs once an hour to Manchester Piccadilly with little room to increase frequency because it is on the West Coast Main Line.

We note that the proposal in Adlington is objected to by several local MPs as well as Cheshire East Council, making it the only new town not supported by its local authority. The MP for Macclesfield, Tim Roca, has lodged a petition in parliament objecting to the new town with 19,000 people signing so far.

CPRE’s local branches are preparing to respond to the Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) that your department is preparing to run in the New Year, but we would also welcome any opportunities that may be available to discuss both how to ensure new towns can be delivered effectively as well as our specific objections to Adlington.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if we can be of assistance.

With best wishes
Yours sincerely
Roger Mortlock
Chief Executive
CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England

More information

Principles for new towns done well – CPRE report.pdf

Opposing the Adlington New Town proposals

Response from MHCLG to Roger’s letter