Council will not buy Kenyon Lane land for traveller transit site

In a statement, Warrington Borough Council says it will not progress with plans to buy the former Kenyon Lane Nurseries site to accommodate caravans.

It comes following almost two weeks of twists and turns after a councillor resigned from the Labour party and revealed the local authority’s intention to buy the land.

Cllr Neil Johnson, a then-Labour borough and parish councillor who represents Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, issued a statement breaking the news on Thursday, October 10.

In protest over the ‘secret plan’, which he branded ‘shady skulduggery’, Cllr Johnson resigned from the Labour party to stand as an independent and promised to fight the plans.

However, the council’s cabinet approved in principle the acquisition of the site at a meeting the following Monday.

In another twist on Wednesday, the owners of a vital access road leading to the site said they ‘vigorously oppose’ the council’s plans.

Now, Warrington Borough Council has issued a statement on its decision to end the bid, but it has reaffirmed its commitment to finding a suitable site.

In a statement, it said: “The council has, for many years, searched for a location for a gypsy traveller transit site.

Cllr Neil Johnson at the nurseries site

“We have an obligation to provide suitable pitches for the gypsy traveller community, in a sustainable location that is supported by access to public services.

“The council spends more than £150,000 a year managing more than 70 unauthorised encampments.

“This has a negative impact, not just on council finances, but also on communities, businesses, and the gypsy traveller community themselves.

“On October 14, the council's cabinet took the decision to acquire land off Kenyon Lane with a view to locating a transit site.

“This was a proposal that would have subsequently involved extensive consultation with the community.

“We have spent more than £25,000 in preparing the option to acquire the site, which itself would be subject to planning consent and independent scrutiny by the Secretary of State.

“The disclosure of confidential information ahead of the cabinet’s meeting has resulted in social media content that has been upsetting to some of those involved.

“We have therefore decided not to progress with the acquisition of the land, and will continue to search for an alternative, suitable site.”