The site of the proposed housing development in Streethay
The site of the proposed housing development in Streethay

Councillors have been accused of failing to fight for residents of Streethay after approving a new housing development in the area.

The site of the proposed housing development in Streethay
The site of the proposed housing development in Streethay

Miller Homes has been given the green light to put up 352 new properties as part of its Foden Park project on land off the Burton Road.

But a local campaign group say the planning committee has signed off “the virtual destruction” of Streethay in the process.

Streethay Against Development chairman, Roger Manning, said: “Our area lacked the support of its councillors and Lichfield District Council failed to adequately communicate what it had in store for our village.

“By the time we were able to resist the destruction of our way of life, it was all too late.

“Over the past six years, our community has struggled and fought to be heard and have embarked on a long-running fight to resist the virtual destruction and nature of Streethay.

“It has, however, been a fruitless process. We have been locked out and have not at any stage been listened to or considered. Why not? Because we are a small community and until recently we have had no support from our councillors.”

As well as concerns over the impact of a large number of houses, many opponents of the project had questioned the impact of increased traffic on the Burton Road near to the A38 junction.

Mr Manning added: “Streethay is doomed to a ludicrous traffic control system that will increasingly expose pedestrians and cyclists to danger. Add the heavy traffic created by the proposed ‘sheds development’ in Burton Old Road, and it will become a complete no-go for pedestrians.

“Those who have signed off the apparent safety of pedestrians on the inadequate footpath will have cause to reflect.”

Streethay councillor Alan White said he recognised the decision would lead to anger but said that councillors’ hands were tied in terms of fighting the development at this stage.

A previous consultation on growth in Lichfield had resulted in plans for a new settlement being abandoned in favour of ‘organic growth’ in areas such as Streethay – a move which subsequently saw the land earmarked for development being included in the district’s Local Plan.

Cllr Alan White
Cllr Alan White

“I’m not sure anything else could have been done at this stage,” said Cllr White.

“Once it’s in the Local Plan a development becomes an impossible juggernaut to stop and you wouldn’t get it refused.

“I understand that Roger is very, very unhappy about the whole thing and he’s not the only one. There are others who have sent me hate mail, nuisance phone calls and leaflets around the village saying they hate me and I get that.

“I’ve been in Roger’s house and have looked out of his conservatory at the green fields and I understand his disappointment and know that what he wants me to do is stop that development from happening.

“But once it was in the Local Plan, the argument was all but over.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.