A councillor who quit the Labour group at Warrington town hall over controversial plans for a gyspy traveller site at Croft has expressed his fury over a new plan to locate a site in the village.
Cllr Neil Johnson, who now sits as an independent on the borough council, said: “The news that the Council are once again pursuing plans for a gypsy/traveller transit site in Croft is astonishing.
“It is a betrayal of our entire community and everyone who lives here. I am absolutely furious.
“The Council Cabinet have behaved appallingly, by purchasing a property and surrounding land without any public consultation, discussion, openness or transparency.
“Once again, we find that these arrangements have been made behind closed doors.
“One of the Labour councillors for this ward, Matt Smith, is a member of the Cabinet. He must have been party to these discussions. He must have read the papers which described plans to purchase this site. What did he say or do to protect the interests of our village? Did he act with integrity and stand up for us, or did he sit there in silence while yet more plans were passed that will have a devastating impact on Croft? I call on him to speak out publicly and tell us clearly and without ambiguity:
“What did he know? When did he know it? Why did he keep this secret – again?
“It should not have taken the studious research of the Parish Council to uncover the fact that this purchase has been made. I was not aware of it, and I represent the area. It is totally unacceptable for ward members not to be informed that these significant plans were underway. It is even more unacceptable that Cabinet members should act as ‘secret keepers’ and shield these unwanted proposals from the public.
“I maintain my earlier position: Croft is not a suitable location for a gypsy/traveller transit site. The road network will not accommodate this kind of development. We are already under significant strain with proposals for swathes of new houses in both Croft and Culcheth. Existing house prices will undoubtedly be affected.
“We need to look seriously at why Croft is being asked to shoulder a much bigger burden than other parts of Warrington.
“These plans are unjust and unacceptable. I will stand with the community and fight them all the way.
“I call on Labour councillors Matt Smith and Janet Seddon to do the decent thing and urge their leadership to revoke these plans with immediate effect. I call on the Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols to convene a meeting with the Council Chief Executive as a priority and inform her in no uncertain terms that this is not a proper location for a gypsy/traveller transit site and that the planning application should be withdrawn immediately.”
Independent Cllr. Neil Johnson at the Kenyon Lane site
Cllr Johnson famously quit the Labour group after he leaked plans for a transit site on Kenyon Lane, Croft, which were eventually scrapped in October 2024, at considerable cost to the council.
In response, Cllr Matt Smith, who had earlier in the week joined dozens of protesters in the village opposing a controversial housing development, said: “As your local Labour councillors, we know that recent news regarding a potential transit site on Winwick Lane will naturally raise questions across Culcheth, Glazebury, and Croft. We want to reassure you that we are here for our community, listening, and keen to hear your considered feedback.
“While we understand local concerns, it is worth looking at why this specific site is being considered by Warrington Borough Council:
– Minimal Impact on Local Homes: Located very close to Junction 22 of the M6, the site offers direct access to the strategic road network while keeping any impact on residential properties to a minimum.
– Immediate Police Powers: Without an official transit site, moving unauthorised encampments off our green spaces and local sites can be a long, costly process. Having a designated facility grants the police immediate legal powers to direct encampments straight off other local land or out of the borough entirely.
“This would strictly be a short-term facility (up to 28 days), with users paying fees and utility costs upfront. The site would be monitored and managed, only those who have registered and paid in advance could access the site.
“Nothing is set in stone – this project cannot move forward without full planning permission. A formal application will go through the usual transparent planning process, giving everyone full opportunity to submit their views.
“Our door is always open. Please feel free to get in touch with us directly; we welcome your input,” he added.
Council defends proposed Croft Traveller Transit Site as parish council voice concern
