Concern over plan for 200 homes on farmland

CONSIDERABLE concern has been raised over controversial plans for around 200 homes on a farmland site at Croft, Warrington.

Croft Parish Council has moved quickly to reassure residents it will “stand with the community” following the launch of a public consultation into proposals for up to 200 new homes on land at Turret Hall Farm, north of Lord Street in Croft.
Developer Peel Land has begun consulting residents ahead of the submission of an outline planning application to Warrington Borough Council. Consultation material states the proposals could deliver up to 200 homes, including affordable housing, on land the developer describes as “Grey Belt,” although technically they are currently in the green belt.

Residents can take part in the consultation by reviewing the plans and submitting feedback directly to Peel Land through the developer’s consultation website and online feedback form. Consultation materials are also expected to be made available at local drop-in events, where residents can speak with members of the project team and ask questions about the proposals before the consultation closes on 10th June 2026.
Croft Parish Council says it first received formal notification of the plans at approximately 5 pm on Thursday, 21st May, when Peel Land contacted the authority directly and offered a virtual briefing with members of the project team.
Chair of Croft Parish Council, Cllr Stuart Mann, said the scale of the proposals had generated considerable concern amongst residents.
He said: “People in Croft are understandably worried. This is a village with very limited infrastructure already and residents are asking very serious questions about how development on this scale could realistically be supported.
“Our roads are already struggling in places and many are simply not designed for significant additional traffic levels. Public transport links are limited, access to doctors or dentists extremely difficult, GP services are under pressure and local infrastructure has not kept pace with development across the wider area for many years.”
Cllr Mann said the Parish Council would ensure local concerns were fully represented throughout the process.
He added: “Croft Parish Council will listen and stand alongside residents to make sure the community’s voice is heard clearly and respectfully at every stage. Whilst we will consider any future planning application properly and fairly, we also have a duty to reflect the genuine concerns people are raising with us daily.
“Stating housing numbers on a piece of paper is one thing. Residents want to understand what this would mean in reality for congestion, road safety, drainage, flooding risk, pressure on schools and healthcare, and ultimately the long-term character and sustainability of the village.”
The consultation documents issued by Peel Land reference increased Government housing targets for Warrington, alongside recent national planning policy changes and the introduction of “Grey Belt” classifications.
Cllr Mann said those policy changes were now creating growing uncertainty for many semi-rural communities.
He said: “Residents are increasingly concerned that villages like Croft are being placed under enormous pressure without the infrastructure investment needed to support that level of growth. Communities cannot simply absorb hundreds of additional homes without proper consideration being given to roads, transport, healthcare and essential services.
“It is important residents engage with the consultation directly and make their views known, whether supportive, opposed or somewhere in between. Community feedback at this stage matters.”
The current consultation is expected to run until 10th June 2026. No formal planning application has yet been submitted to Warrington Borough Council.
There is wider concern that this could be the first of many similar applications across Warrington, as the council is currently not on target to meet Government housing numbers.