At a closed meeting last week town councillors voted to keep a map, showing Mr Brooks' land, secret.

The Knutsford Guardian believes only three of eight councillors voted for the map to be revealed to the public.

"We had a thorough and open discussion and be sure that non of us hold any brief for Mr Brooks," said Clr Beth Page.

"But with all respect to newspapers, they do sometimes cause stress where it needn't be."

Town mayor Clr Hilda Gates said residents could still find out who owns land in Knutsford by asking a councillor.

"We will then find out for them," she said.

But fellow Labour Clr Bill Davies said that that arrangement was ridiculous.

"This says that we are councillors and we are privileged to have this information," he said.

In January town councillors met the landowner's agent Graham Pike in private to discuss concerns about the state of Mr Brooks' land and buildings.

But since then little has been done to tackle problems with the Moor, the Heath and the River Lily.

"This family have controlled their land for 40 years since Lord Egerton died," said Clr Bill Davies.

"What have they've done for Knutsford in all that time?"

Negotiations with Graham Pike will continue after council elections in May.

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