Leighton in Crewe was suggested for consideration in the government's New Towns Programme, as a potential alternative to a controversial plan in rural Cheshire East.

The government had initially identified the village of Adlington, near Macclesfield, as a potential site for a large-scale new settlement, part of its national push to deliver thousands of homes.

However, the proposal sparked strong local opposition, with residents raising concerns about the impact on the village's rural character and infrastructure.

On 25 February, in his speech on the No Confidence motion at Full Council, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East, Michael Gorman referenced Leighton as a possible new town .

The north-west of Crewe has long been earmarked for expansion, with the new £1.5 billion Leighton Hospital and 2,100-home Weaver Green proposals in development.

The government has dropped Adlington (pictured) from its New Towns Programme, with Leighton in Crewe suggested as an alternative but not submitted (Photo: LDRS).

Cheshire East suggested Leighton was better aligned with existing development plans and transport links.

Despite this, an expression of interest for Leighton was not submitted to the New Towns Task Force, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

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The government narrowed down a longlist of 127 potential sites to a final shortlist of just seven, based on criteria including housing capacity, economic growth potential and local backing.

Only one North West scheme, Victoria North in Manchester, is under consideration.

Despite the new town bid being dropped before even hitting motion, development in Leighton will continue through existing local plans.

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