Mixed reception on 2,000 homes plan

Lichfield Civic Society has given a mixed reception to a report into a revised plan that has increased the number of new homes for the district by 2,000.

The society gave evidence to the panel conducting the examination in public into the Regional Spatial Strategy. Spokesman Tony Crookes said the Society was concerned that housing development planned for Lichfield in the period 2006 to 2026 had been increased by 2,000 to 10,000 from the RSS document submitted to the panel.

He said it followed the panel's recommendation for land allocations for 2,000 housing units situated in Lichfield District for cross-boundary provision to meet the needs of Cannock and Tamworth.

The society is also critical that the panel has indicated that it may be appropriate for some green belt releases to facilitate developments to meet the needs of Lichfield City, Burntwood and other settlements in the southern part of the district.

Mr Crookes said the society welcomed the panel's recommendation that a comprehensive study should be undertaken by the district council relating to development to the north-east of Lichfield in the general area of Streethay/ Fradley.

"The society has long advocated new settlement housing development at Fradley airfield which would avoid greenfield utilisation and could accommodate substantial housing and social infrastructure development to the great benefit of the future sustainability of Fradley."

"Lichfield Civic Society put forward these views at the examination, and strongly welcomes the panel's recommendation on this particular issue.

"The Society is pleased therefore that its position has been endorsed by the panel requiring a proper and comprehensive study of this area to be carried out," said Mr Crookes.