‘Development Framework’ for Lichfield is important to you says Phil Bennion

The ‘development framework’ contributes to guidelines that the council planning committee have to abide by when making decisions. The Local Development Framework is a key defence against unsuitable development - unfortunately Lichfield District Council had its first attempt rejected by the Government Inspector so is trying again. Lichfield’s allocation for up to 2026 in the Regional Strategy is 8,000 extra houses but now the government is insisting that West Midlands builds an extra 40,000! Cllr Phil Bennion described this at Council as “uncalled for interference and micro-management from government”. This means of course that the 8,000 figure for Lichfield is only provisional

Lichfield district council consulted on the following main options that could be amended or combined

1. Concentrate development on Burntwood and Lichfield City
2. Development in Lichfield City, Burntwood and the ‘larger villages’ (Alrewas, Armitage with Handsacre, Fazeley, Little Aston, Shenstone and Whittington)
3. Dispersal of development to include rural settlements
4. A ‘New Settlement’ - most likely at Fradley

The Liberal Democrat response to the consultation is mainly backing the option for splitting the development between Lichfield City, Burntwood and the larger villages.

This was the most sustainable plan that would keep development as close as possible to existing services.

We also suggested that Alrewas should be removed from the list of villages for development due to flood plain considerations and be replaced with Fradley. This would allow Fradley South to be expanded and given some services to go with the current housing.

We also called for:

• Increase proportion of affordable housing in new developments from 25% to 40%.
• Small parishes to have an ‘opt in’ if extra houses wanted.
• High priority for car parking at Lichfield Trent Valley station including ‘Park & Ride’.
• Any major housing development conditional on improved access to rail services.
• Full range of renewable energy options for the District.
• Fradley to be the main focus for new employment land but support for provision of office space in Lichfield.

Phil also expressed dismay with the government for its foot dragging over moving to near zero carbon housing - setting its date for 2016. This enables builders to build at lower standards in advance of this deadline. The technology is already available and in use. Liberal Democrats made strong representations that Lichfield should become ‘zero carbon’ by 2011..

Published and promoted by Peter Roe (01543250181) on behalf of the Lichfield and Tamworth Liberal Democrats, 4 Cathedral Rise, Lichfield, WS13 7LP. Hosted (printed) by SupaNames, The Technology Barn, Dorset DT9 5QN. Last update 17/03/2008