The developer behind a proposed new town in Cheshire said a non-disclosure agreement from the government – which prevented it talking about the plans before an official announcement – was “not helpful”.
Adlington is one of 12 places named for a potential new town. The plan by developer Belport includes up to 20,000 homes on a site that is mostly green space.
Speaking to a House of Lords committee, Belport director Niall Bolger said most residents were “very upset” and “not being able to be as open and transparent as we would want” had “assisted in that”.
Strategic environmental assessments for the sites are under way with an announcement due in 2026. The government has been asked to comment.
The scheme, officially announced in September, has been controversial, with regular protests taking place against the plans and objections from local parish councils and the area’s Labour MP.
During the session of the Built Environment Committee, Mr Bolger said Cheshire East Council did not yet have a policy position on the planned new town, but that might change at a full council meeting on Wednesday.
The authority is set to discuss two motions from councillors asking it to formally oppose the scheme.
The other two councils in Cheshire, Cheshire West and Chester, as well as Warrington councils are “in support” of the scheme, Mr Bolger said. The authorities have been approached for comment.
He also acknowledged local opposition to the scheme, and said communities were “negative” but added that was not unusual because the plans were a “surprise”.
“We have to be respectful of that and respectful of what they’re saying and do our best as a private company to engage and involve people the best we can”.
He added parish councils in the area were “universally opposed”.
“Some of the issues that they’re raising at the moment are common cause issues, ‘What about highways, transport, healthcare, education provision?’,” he said.
“Those are common things and, quite frankly, I don’t blame them because historically those things have come after development rather than contiguous with development.”
He also added that “myth-busting” was something the business was focused on.
“I don’t mean for that to be derogatory but some people generate their own truths in the absence of anything else,” he said.
“People generate their own truth and it generates a tendency to be supported by others, particularly with online and social media.”
Mr Bolger added the developer had a “determination to be a long-term steward of the land” and planned a “significant” amount of rented homes as part of the scheme. He added a master planner would be appointed in January.