Battle cry over green belt plan for 850 new homes
Green belt could be swallowed up in Burntwood under plans to build almost 850 homes in the town with residents vowing to fight against development.
A total of 838 homes need to be built as part of Lichfield District Council’s local plan, which highlights a need for nearly 12,000 homes across the district by 2040.
But residents have hit out at the proposals which could see the fields, bordered by Coulter Lane, Nether Lane, Rugeley Road and Church Lane, released for housing developments.
Campaigners from the Burntwood Action Group are planning to put together objections to the plans and to save their “treasured” land.
David Rathband, a member of the action group, said: “Our Facebook page has reached 10,000 people in less than 24 hours.
"Everybody is unhappy with the potential of taking this land out of the green belt.
"We believe Burntwood is too big for its current infrastructure without houses on the land there.”
The plans highlight a need for 7,280 homes across the entire district – along with a further 4,500 to meet a shortfall from the Greater Birmingham and Black Country area.
Lichfield District Council cabinet member, Councillor Iain Eadie, said: “We have worked to minimise the impact on the greenbelt, while making sure the district grows in a sustainable way.
“We are consulting until January 24.”
The proposals can be viewed at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/localplan2040
People can have their say by emailing developmentplans@lichfielddc.gov.uk or by writing to Spatial Policy and Delivery, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6YZ.
The plans are the latest proposals to spark controversy after schemes for the Seven Cornfields near Penn and in Perton in South Staffordshire.
