PROPOSALS to merge Knutsford with Altrincham as part of a constituency boundary review have been widely criticised.

Under current plans, the Tatton constituency would be abolished with Knutsford – along with Mobberley and High Legh – moved out into the new Altrincham and Tatton Park constituency when changes come into effect at the next scheduled general election in 2020.

Meanwhile, Chelford, Peover, Ollerton, Marthall, Snelson and Nether Alderley would move into a Macclesfield constituency.

However, Knutsfordians have spoken out against the changes with many writing to the Boundary Commission to oppose the plans to move Knutsford away from its historic link with Macclesfield and into a more urban mix with Altrincham.

In a written response, Knutsford Town Council clerk Adam Keppel-Garner said that the proposals failed to meet three important criteria: having Knutsford in the constituency name, keeping Knutsford, Mobberley, High Legh and Chelford together, and keeping the town in a wholly Cheshire-based constituency.

He said: “The town council objects to the proposals for a new constituency of Altrincham and Tatton Park on the grounds that it does not meet the three conditions it considers necessary for a new constituency.

“The town council is not in a position to put forward detailed proposals as to new constituency arrangements but would support any proposal which sees Knutsford within a wholly Cheshire constituency with Mobberley, Chelford and High Legh in which ‘Knutsford’ is part of the name.”

Following the announcement of the proposals in September 2016, George Osborne, MP for Tatton, wrote to the Knutsford Guardian outlining an alternative suggestion, which he also put the Boundary Commission in person at a public hearing.

Mr Osborne’s idea, which has gathered support from many consultation respondents, places Knutsford with Macclesfield in a single constituency along with Mobberley, High Legh and Chelford.

The Boundary Commission proposals would see the number of MP seats reduced from 650 to 600, with an intention of having the same amount of residents living in each constituency.

Cllr Neil Forbes, of Knutsford Town Council, said of the Altrincham and Tatton Park proposals: “Tatton Park has many animals but few humans.

“A better name would be to include Knutsford in the title – an historic and thriving market town.

“The seat itself would have a better identity if it could be wholly within Cheshire and not part of the urban sprawl of Manchester with its soon-to-be-elected mayor.”