A report has backed plans for 70 new homes in Fradley.

Land at Hay End Lane has been earmarked for the development, but has met with local opposition.

Lichfield District Council has received 28 letters from local residents and the Fradley Neighbourhood Steering Committee raising concerns about issues such as increased traffic, insufficient school places and the new scheme being “detrimental” to the character of the village.

But a report to the local authority’s planning committee next week has urged councillors to give the development the green light.

“In terms of vehicular access, the site will be accessed from two points on Hay End
Lane,” the report explained. “These are existing access points that will be widened and improved to ensure sufficient capacity for increased usage.

“The recommendation of the Highways
Authority to secure further details of these junctions, via a condition, is considered to be reasonable and proportionate to the scale of the proposal and will ensure safe and appropriate highway impact as a result of this development.

“A scheme of off-site highway improvement works are necessary to facilitate both this
scheme and the other strategic housing allocation sites identified for Fradley.

“These works include improvements at Hilliards Cross.”

The report also dismissed worries that the land would be lost to development.

“While I can appreciate concerns that have been raised by local residents regarding
the loss of countryside, the site is not designated as being of high landscape value,” the official behind the report added.

“I am satisfied that the development could be satisfactorily assimilated into its surroundings and not have a harmful impact on the wider landscape.”

The report has said the new development could see a need for 22 local primary school places.

It adds that a £1.9million scheme to extend the existing school in Fradley by 105 places is already in the pipeline.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.