Croft Parish Council has formally asked Warrington Borough Council to provide a public explanation after discovering that the borough bought a property with adjoining land on Winwick Lane for £1.55 million.
How the purchase came to light
Parish councillors uncovered the transaction while conducting a detailed review of development proposals affecting the village. Their scrutiny — which included examining planning applications, public records and HM Land Registry entries — revealed the council completed the purchase on 30 March 2026, according to Land Registry records.
Why councillors want answers
Members of the Parish Council say residents deserve clarity about the council’s intentions for the site, particularly given Croft’s recent history of contested land proposals. The village is already facing a heavy pipeline of potential change, including:
- proposals for up to 200 new homes at Turret Hall Farm;
- the potential ILP North (Tritax) Strategic Rail Freight Interchange;
- other significant developments across North Warrington.
Because councillors have been assessing the combined effects of these schemes on roads, schools, healthcare, drainage, utilities and green space, the unexpected land purchase has added to concerns about cumulative pressure on local services and the character of the village.
Historic sensitivities
The discovery has revived memories of an earlier controversy in Croft when the borough proposed land at Kenyon Lane for a Gypsy and Traveller transit site. That plan provoked substantial public opposition before the council later decided not to proceed with it. Councillors say that context makes transparency over new land acquisitions especially important.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Winwick Lane, Croft (near Junction 22, M6) |
| Buyer | Warrington Borough Council |
| Completion date | 30 March 2026 |
| Recorded price | £1.55 million |
The Parish Council has requested a public statement setting out the council’s intended use of the site and any plans affecting Croft. At the time of writing, there has been no published explanation from the borough outlining the purpose of the purchase.
Residents and councillors monitoring the rapid succession of proposals in and around Croft say they need clarity to assess likely impacts on congestion, community facilities and the village’s character. The Parish Council’s review of planning material was prompted by that wider concern about how multiple schemes could interact and place strains on local infrastructure.
This is a developing local story and the borough council will be asked to comment on the land acquisition and any future intentions for the site.
