Campaigners celebrate after new town plans dropped

The plans have been controversial in the local area and led to protests, a petition presented in Parliament by local Labour MP Tim Roca and calls for council leaders to resign.

Campaigner Aysha Hawcutt said while residents were "not anti-homes", the Adlington plan was "the wrong proposal in the wrong place".

Cheshire East Council and developer Belport have been approached for comment.

It was the only plan brought forward by a developer rather than a local authority.

Local residents organised protests both in the area and outside council meetings.

The council ultimately voted to oppose the plans at a meeting in December and wrote to the government.

Hawcutt said she was "thrilled" by the latest announcement from the government and "proud of our little village for standing so strong".

She added: "We're not so naive as to think that there won't be any further challenges or threats to our area.

"But without those sweeping powers that would have been granted if it had been designated as a new town area, then those plans - those threats - will have to be scaled back and fall within normal planning guidelines and legislation."

Simon Gleave, chairman of Adlington Parish Council, said there had been a "massive local support group" and the "hard work had definitely worked".

"This is the result we were hoping for," he said, adding that the government's latest announcement had come as a "complete shock" since the council had understood there would be a draft report published before a final decision was made.

"Yes, it says Adlington is a credible location for development, but it doesn't change the fact it's still green belt, the infrastructure's not here, and the local services aren't here to support any sort of major development," added Gleave.

"Adlington needs some development but the right development for the right people in the right location. Brownfield first, greenbelt never.

"We should be a last resort if it ever was needed."

He added: "From day one, I have been clear that Adlington was not a suitable site for this development, and I have worked tirelessly to ensure that message was heard at the highest levels of government."

In a statement, the government said Adlington and other areas would not be taken forward as new towns, but were "deemed to be credible development opportunities and may continue to be supported through existing housing programmes".

The government has been asked for more information about why it had not decided to go ahead with making Adlington a new town.