The plans to establish a traveller transit site on the land near Croft will not be moving forward, as confirmed by the Warrington Borough Council. This decision comes after a series of events, starting with Cllr Neil Johnson’s resignation from the Labour party and revelation of the council’s intention to purchase the former Kenyon Lane Nurseries site for caravans.
Cllr Johnson, representing Culcheth, Glazebury, and Croft, expressed his opposition to the “shady skulduggery” involved in the secret plan and decided to stand as an independent to fight against it. Despite his efforts, the council’s cabinet initially approved the acquisition of the site at a meeting shortly after.
However, a significant road leading to the site’s access owners vehemently opposed the council’s plans, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. In response, the Warrington Borough Council has decided to end the bid for the land but remains committed to finding a suitable location for a traveller transit site.
The council emphasized its responsibility to provide appropriate pitches for the gypsy traveller community in a sustainable location with access to public services. Managing over 70 unauthorized encampments costs the council more than £150,000 annually and has negative impacts on finances, communities, businesses, and the gypsy traveller community.
Despite the initial proposal to acquire the Kenyon Lane land for the transit site, which would have involved extensive community consultation, the council has chosen not to proceed with the purchase. They have spent over £25,000 in preparation for this option, which would have been subject to planning consent and scrutiny by the Secretary of State.
The premature disclosure of confidential information before the cabinet meeting led to upsetting social media content, prompting the council to reconsider its decision. As a result, they will continue their search for an alternative and suitable site for the traveller transit site, taking into account the concerns and feedback from the community.
In conclusion, while the plans for the Kenyon Lane land as a traveller transit site have been halted, the council’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to the gypsy traveller community remains steadfast. The decision to explore other options reflects a desire to find a solution that benefits all parties involved and addresses the challenges posed by unauthorized encampments in a thoughtful and collaborative manner.
