INDEPENDENT Cllr. Neil Johnson is celebrating a “victory for the whole community” as he accused Warrington Borough Council of a “selfish act of bravado” over secret plans for a gypsy traveller transit site at Kenyon Lane, Croft.
He also described council claims that they were withdrawing the plans due to bad press and social media comments after he controversially leaked the location of the Kenyon Lane site as “rubbish!”
Cllr. Johnson resigned from the Labour Party before disclosing the “secret” location of the proposed site which the council had already spent £25,000 on trying to secure a land deal.
Following the announcement, Cllr Johnson said: “I am pleased that Warrington Borough Council have finally listened to the residents of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft and withdrawn their ridiculous plan for a gypsy traveller transit site on Kenyon Lane.
“This is a victory for our whole community. The voices of local people have been heard because we banded together and refused to be steamrolled.
“However, this decision could have been made a lot sooner. It was obvious that a transit site could never be built at this location because of issues with access, narrow roads, the suitability of nearby services, and a host of other reasons. Instead of withdrawing this nonsense sooner, Warrington Council engaged in a selfish act of bravado by trying to struggle on. As a result, Labour councillors have cost the taxpayers of Warrington £25,000. They should pay this money back from their own hopeless pockets or have it deducted from their allowances. Why should we fund their incompetence?
“I would like to thank all the residents who worked with me on my campaign against the transit site. I do not regret revealing the secret location for one minute. The people had a right to know. I have met with dozens of people in Culcheth and Croft about this issue over the last couple of weeks. We have worked together on reasonable alternatives, a business case against the Kenyon Lane site, and much more. I have been proud and pleased to put local residents front and centre of everything I do. Together, we have triumphed.
“All of this has been achieved without any input from my fellow ward councillors or the local MP. Cllr Janet Seddon and Charlotte Nichols haven’t been seen. They shamelessly abandoned the people of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft in their hour of need and we will never forget that. If they had any good grace or integrity left, they would both resign.
“Finally, I turn to the Council’s claim that they have withdrawn their plans because of bad press and social media comments. What rubbish! They have had to withdraw them because the community came together and worked with the landowners to prevent their sale. Councils do not make decisions because of things people write on Facebook. If Councillors and officers can’t handle a bit of criticism and scrutiny, then they shouldn’t put forward ridiculous proposals in the first place.
“I am looking forward to continuing to work for the good of my community, shoulder to shoulder with local people as their independent voice for Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft.”
Following Cllr. Johnson’s “inaccurate statement” fellow ward Cllrs. Janet Seddon and Matt Smith, who both live in the ward issued the following statement: “We welcome Warrington Borough Council’s confirmation yesterday that they are no longer planning to purchase the former Kenyon Lane Nursery as a potential traveller transit site. While Warrington desperately needs a well-managed transit site to address the illegal encampments we’ve seen on Culcheth Village Green, Silver Lane, and other areas, we agreed with residents that this particular site was not suitable.
“The local Labour team, including all of our Borough and Parish Councillors, have worked tirelessly to support the residents most affected by this proposal. We have been in constant communication with Council Officers, the Council’s Chief Executive, and members of the Cabinet. As elected representatives, we are fully committed to serving our community, and any online claims suggesting otherwise are ill-informed and untrue.
“We have been working at all levels to ensure this proposal was withdrawn. Crucially, our experience working with the Council has allowed us to effectively engage with decision-makers to secure a satisfactory outcome for the residents we represent. We would also like to thank the residents who contacted us; we greatly appreciate your support and the professionalism with which we were able to collaborate in opposing this proposal.”
