Cheshire Council Leaders Under Fire for New Town Proposal
Council leaders in Cheshire are facing intense pressure to resign after it was revealed they supported a controversial plan for a new town of 20,000 homes in Adlington without consulting local residents. The proposal has ignited widespread backlash and accusations of a lack of transparency.
Backlash Over Lack of Consultation
Opposition councillor Hayley Whitaker has condemned the move, stating that the letter from council leaders was written with no scrutiny, no consultation, and no input from the public or other councillors. This has left many residents feeling blindsided and betrayed.
The issue came to light when Adlington appeared on the government's list of 12 proposed sites for new towns across England. It was later discovered that the Labour leader of Cheshire East, Nick Mannion, and his deputy, Michael Gorman, had written a letter in June to the New Towns Taskforce, reaffirming their support for the development.
Apology and Reversal
Mannion has since apologized, calling the letter badly worded and expressing regret for the confusion and anxiety it caused. He and Gorman clarified that their intention was to support the principle of new towns in general, not specifically the Adlington proposal.
Following the outcry, the council leaders have written to the government, highlighting fundamental flaws with the planned new town and declaring it unacceptable to Cheshire East council. However, this reversal has done little to quell the anger among residents and political opponents.
Political Fallout and Public Opposition
The Conservative group on the council has submitted a motion of no confidence in Mannion and Gorman, calling for their resignation. This motion is set to be debated next week, adding to the political turmoil.
A petition opposing the new town, signed by more than 19,000 people, was handed to the government in December, demonstrating the strong public sentiment against the development. Despite this, housing minister Matthew Pennycook has indicated that decisions on new towns will be made in the national interest, not based on petition signatories.
Impact on Adlington Village
Adlington, a village on the border of the Peak District with a population of about 1,200, is at the center of this controversy. The proposed new town would be built on green belt land, intended to ease housing pressures in neighboring Stockport and Macclesfield.
Critics argue that this is the wrong type of housing in the wrong area, potentially leading to unnecessary urban sprawl. The leader of Stockport council has likened the proposal to someone in Westminster throwing a dart at a map, highlighting the perceived lack of local consideration.
Unlike other new town proposals, this plan was designed by private developers Belport, rather than a local authority, raising further questions about accountability and community involvement.
Community Trauma and Distrust
Residents like Aysha Hawcutt, who has lived in Adlington for 16 years with her family, express deep concern and trauma over the situation. This is our home, and it's now in somebody else's hands, she said, reflecting the widespread fear and uncertainty in the village.
The episode has eroded trust in local leadership, with many questioning who to believe and what the future holds for their community. As the debate continues, the fate of Adlington remains uncertain, with council leaders' positions hanging in the balance.
