DEVELOPERS will today be banned from building new homes in Knutsford.

The Government has told Macclesfield Borough Council that no more houses must be built in the borough - and if does not comply, the decision will be taken away from them.

Macclesfield's cabinet was expected to reluctantly agree to the Government directive today.

But yesterday Clr Sue Kipling claimed that house prices would soar because there would be fewer of them.

"This is the commandment from on high and people are going to find it even more difficult to find something vaguely affordable," she said.

"Local views are being taken away from us making a mockery of local democracy."

Government ministers stepped in after they discovered that 4,500 houses had been built in the borough since 1996.

The limit - set in the Structure Plan - was not supposed to be met until 2011.

But Clr Kipling, zwho lives in Plumley, said there had been no way to restrict developers.

"We had the targets and had some idea about the amount of land that would be released for development," she said.

"But there was no law to refuse planning applications on those grounds."

The Government said yesterday the restrictions would also affect other shire counties.

Ministers want to encourage developers to build in cities instead of rural locations.

"The North West Regional Housing Strategy was put together to sort out the housing market," said a spokesman. "We have areas like Macclesfield where there is considerable demand for property and prices are booming, but there are other areas where housing is being deserted."

The spokesman said if all houses deemed unfit in the region were put together it would cover an area the size of Manchester.

Fees

Macclesfield Borough Council will enforce the ban from September 4 if councillors agree today.

But there will be exceptions.

Permission will be granted for cheaper houses, replacement homes and the conversion of listed buildings if it secures their future.

But councillors have been warned the council will lose money because of a dip in planning fees and that companies may also launch legal action against the authority, which could lead to more appeals.

They have been given four points to avoid costing taxpayers thousands. "When the council formally adopt this approach there is a risk of a legal challenge, but by taking the above steps the risk of a successful challenge is considered to be minimal," said an officer's report.

Farmers are less likely to sell to developers because barn conversions will be banned.

If they want to build a house on their land for a worker, farmers will have to prove it is needed.

Applications already sent to the council will be determined under the new rules.

Yesterday Clr Kipling, the borough's head of environment, said the proposals were unlikely to be opposed today.

"I don't think there will be much discussion because there is not a lot we can do," she said.

"The developers are going to hold on to land for a few years in almost certain hope that this rule will be unsustainable."

amoores@guardiangrp.co.uk