Cllr Stuart Mann

24/10/2026

Burtonwood B**r Festival 26 Burtonwood CommunityCentre

It’s on until 11:30.

Come on in out of the rain!!! 🍻🍻🍻

23/10/2026

Good evening everyone

🚌 𝐌𝐘𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 – 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

Please share with all not on social media.

Firstly, confirmation that Myddleton Lane will close from 9pm this evening (Friday 23rd October) for United Utilities works, with the closure expected to last until 1st November.

Some good news regarding the replacement Number 19 shuttle bus!

Late last night, I received an email advising that, due to safety concerns, the shuttle bus would no longer be able to turn around at Waterworks Lane and would instead travel around Falcondale Road, picking up passengers only near its junction with Myddleton Lane.

I was particularly concerned about the extra walking distance this would mean for some residents, especially elderly passengers and those with mobility difficulties.

I raised this with WBC and Warrington’s Own Buses and, following considerable discussion and a successful bus trial this afternoon, I’m really pleased to confirm a solution has been found!

✅ The shuttle WILL now travel all the way up Myddleton Lane, turn around at Waterworks Lane and return along Myddleton Lane.

✅ All usual stops will be served, apart from opposite Winwick CE Primary School.

✅ The temporary stop has been moved from Falcondale Road to outside the houses on Myddleton Lane, heading towards the shop.

✅ The shuttle will 𝐍𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 travel around Falcondale Road.

The shuttle will connect residents with the Number 19 service at Culcheth Library for onward travel towards Leigh and vice versa, throughout the closure.

⚠️ Please take care around the Waterworks Lane junction, as the bus turning manoeuvre will be a little awkward.

Temporary parking restrictions will be in place to allow it to turn safely.

A big thank you to everyone at WBC, Warrington’s Own Buses and United Utilities for working with me to find a solution.

Thank you to residents for your patience. If you experience any issues or have concerns whatsoever during the closure, please email me and I’ll do what I can to help.

[email protected]

22/10/2026

Tomorrow at Burtonwood Library 💙

What's On tomorrow - Are you looking for a dementia friendly group in the Burtonwood area? See details below ⬇

21/10/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐭.

You may have seen today’s Warrington Guardian article about proposals for a major warehousing and logistics development at Southworth Hall Farm.

Just to clarify the position and offer some reassurance to residents of Croft and Winwick between which the proposed site sits.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲.

𝐍𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝.

The land has been put forward for consideration as part of Warrington Borough Council’s ongoing Local Plan review and Call for Sites exercise.

This allows landowners to suggest sites for potential future development.

It does not mean the Council has accepted the proposals or agreed that development should take place.

I have also received direct confirmation from Warrington’s planning officers that they have received no pre-application enquiries, environmental screening requests or other approaches relating to the potential development of this land.

The matter was discussed at Croft Parish Council’s meeting last night.

I must say that I am extremely disappointed by what is being suggested.

The promotional material describes the site as being within an established industrial and logistics corridor.

In my opinion, any suggestion that this particular location is industrial in character is utter rubbish.

This is agricultural land on the edge of a rural village, and its character should not be misrepresented simply because it happens to be close to the motorway.

Furthermore, the suggestion of placing enormous warehouses on land either side of Southworth Lane, one of the principal routes into and out of Croft, is, in my opinion, frankly ridiculous.

The potential impact on the rural setting of the village, its character, local roads and surrounding communities cannot simply be brushed aside.

The important thing for residents to understand is that this is not a done deal.

𝐅𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭.

The Council expects to publish further information about sites submitted for consideration as part of its Local Plan consultation, due to begin in November.

I will monitor developments closely and ensure residents, Croft Parish Council and Winwick Parish Council are kept informed.

For now, please don’t be unnecessarily alarmed by the headlines.

These are proposals being promoted by landowners, not an approved development.

There is a process to follow, and residents will have the opportunity to make their views known.

I will continue to represent the interests of our local communities throughout that process.

https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/26653681.plans-emerge-major-2m-sq-ft-logistics-site-croft/

19/10/2026

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 – 𝐍𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟗 𝐁𝐔𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 – 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊 & 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐓 & 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐇

Temporary arrangements from Friday 23rd October up to and including 1st November.

As residents will be aware, 𝐌𝐲𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 while United Utilities carry out major works outside Winwick CE Primary School.

Waterworks lane past Hornby Lane will also be closed at the same time.

I’ve been chasing Warrington Borough Council for confirmation of the arrangements for the number 19 bus service during the closure, particularly for residents in Winwick and Croft who rely on it.

United Utilities have agreed to fund a temporary shuttle bus service to help minimise the disruption.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?

The normal number 19 service will be diverted via Long Lane and Hilden Road, travelling towards Culcheth via Birchwood where passengers can connect with the temporary shuttle bus at Culcheth Library.

The shuttle will operate between:

📍 Winwick Post Office
📍 Croft Horseshoe
📍 Culcheth Library

Passengers travelling towards Leigh will be able to connect with the number 19 at Culcheth Library.

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤?

Passengers travelling into Warrington from Winwick are being advised to use the 322, 329 or 360 services, boarding at the St Oswald’s bus stop in Winwick.

Passengers from Croft and early stops in Culcheth are advised to catch the shuttle bus to Culcheth and then the 19 or other services from there into town.

📅 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬

I’ve attached the temporary shuttle timetable, which includes weekday, Saturday and Sunday services.

Warrington’s Own Buses will also publish the timetable on their website and app, and notices will be displayed at affected bus stops.

WOB Website link:

https://www.warringtonsownbuses.co.uk/

I appreciate that these arrangements won’t be as convenient as the normal service, particularly for those who rely on the bus for work, appointments and everyday journeys.

That said, I am pleased that an alternative has been arranged working with United Utilities.

Please share this information, particularly with neighbours and family members who use the number 19 and may not have access to social media.

I’ll continue to share any further updates as they become available.

If anyone has any questions at all please drop me an email.

[email protected]

19/10/2026

At Full Council on Monday 26th October, I’ll be asking the Leader of Warrington Borough Council to clarify the Council’s position on the proposed Tritax Intermodal Logistics Park North development.

Wigan Council has already voted unanimously to oppose the proposals. I want to know whether Warrington is prepared to take a similar stance.

I genuinely don’t think enough people realise the sheer scale of what’s being proposed on our doorstep.

The development and associated land could cover approximately 864 acres — larger than Omega at Burtonwood, equivalent to almost 500 football pitches.

Enourmous warehouses, some reaching around 30 metres in height.

More than 1,300 HGV movements a day could place further pressure on our roads, particularly the A49 and Winwick Link Road.

Associated soil movement and earthworks could extend into Warrington itself, with potential consequences for Croft and surrounding areas.

This is NOT Parkside Phases 1 and 2.
Tritax is an entirely separate, additional proposal.

I understand that moving freight from road to rail can have national environmental benefits but we cannot ignore the potential local consequences for Winwick, Croft, Hermitage Green and neighbouring communities, particularly when considering other developments already planned or underway.

Warrington has declared a climate emergency, and I believe that commitment must be reflected in how the Council responds to proposals of this magnitude.

Councillors, parish councils, community groups and residents are already coming together to examine the plans and prepare for the Government’s planning process.

Our communities deserve to know where Warrington Borough Council stands — and what it intends to do to protect them.

Residents will have the opportunity to feedback on a public consultation for traffic and highways in the spring however the application itself will ultimately go to the government for consideration.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT PLANNING ISSUE AT FULL COUNCIL

The meeting will also consider changes to Warrington Borough Council’s Constitution, including changes to how planning applications can be referred to the Planning Committee.

These changes could have significant democratic implications for the existing referral powers of borough councillors and parish councils, potentially reducing their ability to ensure controversial planning applications receive consideration by elected councillors rather than being determined by officers.

I’ve already raised concerns about protecting local democratic involvement in planning decisions and have been encouraging councillors and parish councils to make their views known.

With so many major developments being proposed across Warrington, maintaining a meaningful voice for local communities in planning decisions is more important than ever.

The Full Council meeting will be live-streamed, and I’ll share updates on both matters afterwards.

The link to the livestream is below.

https://warrington.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

INDEPENDENT Cllr. Stuart Mann is to challenge Warrington Borough Council's leadership over whether it will formally oppose a massive proposed rail freight logistics development near Winwick and Croft.

16/10/2026

Afternoon everyone.

I welcome the latest proposal to increase Council Tax Support for some of our lowest-income households but there is some important background that I think everyone should remember.

Before April 2026, eligible working-age residents could receive up to 91.5% support towards their council tax bill.

In April this year, the council reduced that to 78%, meaning those receiving maximum support had to pay at least 22% themselves.

The council is now proposing to increase the maximum support to 86.5% from April 2027.

So whilst that’s a welcome improvement, it still doesn’t restore the level of support available before the cuts earlier this year.

It’s also important to understand why those original cuts happened.

They were introduced as part of the council’s financial savings programme, with an expected net saving of £600,000 a year.

The latest Cabinet report makes clear that the new proposals are not intended to reverse that financial decision.

So whilst the proposed increase in maximum support is welcome, the council is still working within the savings framework that led to the original reduction.

The proposals also introduce a new income-banded system, intended to make the scheme simpler. Some households could receive more support, some less, and others may see no change.

The reduced savings threshold of £6,000, down from £16,000, is also proposed to remain in place.

I raised concerns about the original cuts earlier this year, particularly their impact on households already struggling with the cost of living.

Those concerns haven’t gone away.

I really want to encourage residents to take part in the consultation.

Whether you currently receive Council Tax Support, think you might qualify in the future, or simply have views about how we support our most financially vulnerable residents, please have your say.

The proposals aren’t final, and the council must consider the consultation responses before making a decision.

The consultation closes on 19 November 2026.

You can find out more and take part here:

https://www.warrington.gov.uk/council-tax-support-scheme-2027-28

I welcome any additional help for residents, but I also believe it’s important to be transparent about what has changed, what hasn’t, and what it means for the people affected.

We are legally required to consult on any proposed changes to the scheme and we're asking you to take part in this consultation to find out what you think about our proposed Council Tax Support scheme, which would start from 1 April 2027. We want to:

15/10/2026

Morning all.

At September’s Full Council meeting, I raised a question about the impact of speculative housing developments on communities like Burtonwood, Winwick and Croft.

Warrington already has an adopted Local Plan which sets out where housing should be built and how much is needed.

Yet we are now seeing developers bringing forward proposals on land that WAS NOT allocated for housing, including Ashton’s Farm off Clay Lane in Burtonwood, Bellway’s proposed Phase 2 development off Golborne Road in Winwick and The Turret Hall Farm application in Croft.

My question was fairly straightforward.

If these additional developments are approved, will those homes count towards Warrington’s housing requirements under its next Local Plan, or could our communities effectively end up taking housing growth twice?

I’ve now received a written response from the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing.

The response confirms that the next Local Plan is currently expected to begin on 1 April 2028, and that homes completed from that date onwards, including those on sites not allocated in the current Local Plan, will contribute towards the new housing requirement.

That’s useful clarification, but it don’t think it fully answer my concern.

What happens to additional homes built before April 2028?

Even if homes built after that date are counted, what assurance is there that communities which have already accommodated significant development won’t be allocated even more housing in the next Local Plan?

I think that’s a pretty important question.

We already have lots of housing development taking place, alongside further proposals.

If additional developments receive permission, they will place further pressure on our roads, schools, GP services and other local infrastructure.

The response confirms that future completions will count towards the next housing requirement, but it doesn’t guarantee that our communities won’t be expected to accommodate further development when the next Local Plan is prepared.

I know the Council must plan for future housing needs, and that housing requirements can change but I also believe there needs to be a proper assessment of how much development individual communities have already accommodated.

My concern remains that our villages could end up taking substantially more development than was originally planned, without the infrastructure needed to support it.

I’ll continue pressing for clarity on how speculative developments will be taken into account when Warrington prepares its next Local Plan.

14/10/2026

Good Evening Everyone

Just a quick reminder that it is the WBC Cllr Surgeries this Saturday 17th October.

0930-1030 - Burtonwood Library
1100-1200 - Winwick Community Centre

Pop along if you have anything you would like to discuss.

If you are unable to attend you can email either myself or Cllr Burgess on the following email addresses.

[email protected]
[email protected]

Thank you.