A second retrospective planning application for a Gypsy and Traveller site at Tan House Farm in Burtonwood has been refused by Warrington Borough Council.
The application, submitted under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act, sought permission for the change of use of land to create a site comprising four pitches, alongside associated landscaping, access works and internal road changes.
It follows an earlier application for the site which was also refused by planners.
In its decision notice, the council set out a number of reasons for refusal, including concerns around highway safety, the sustainability of the location, drainage and insufficient ecological information.
Planning officers concluded that the proposal would not provide safe and suitable access for all users and would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.
They also determined that the site is not in a sustainable location, with limited access to local services and inadequate infrastructure for pedestrians and more sustainable modes of transport.
Concerns were also raised regarding a lack of sufficient information on surface water drainage and water management, as well as the absence of adequate detail relating to habitat impacts and biodiversity requirements.
Cllr Stuart Mann, ward councillor for Burtonwood and Winwick, confirmed he had objected to the application, saying: “Both Cllr Burgess and I objected to this new application, raising concerns regarding highway safety, the sustainability of the location and the impact upon Burtonwood in line with national planning policy and Warrington’s adopted Local Plan.”
In addition to his objection Cllr Mann again reiterated his concerns about how the location had been changed from a former horses paddock to more or less a car park in the space of 36 hours over the late May Bank Holiday weekend in 2025, without the necessary planning approval.
“All developments should follow the proper planning process. That means submitting proposals, allowing them to be assessed, and receiving permission before works begin.
“Only after substantial ground clearance work involving huge excavators and bulldozers had begun and continued nonstop for 36 hours from around 6 pm on Friday, 23rd May, was any sort of a planning application for this location received by WBC.
“Local residents rightly feel frustrated when they follow the rules, submit applications, and wait for decisions, only to see others act first and apply later.
“The planning process exists for a reason – to ensure proposals are properly assessed against local and national policy, including impacts on highways, infrastructure, drainage and the environment.”
The applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the Secretary of State.
The decision was issued by Warrington Borough Council today, Monday, March 30, 2026.
