Travellers on Shortbutts Park in Lichfield in 2013

Lichfield District Council says it is unlikely to build an additional site for travellers despite a request from a neighbouring local authority to do so.

Tamworth Borough Council has asked if a new facility could be created in Lichfield or Burntwood to help meet its needs.

Cllr Ian Pritchard
Cllr Ian Pritchard

But Cllr Ian Pritchard said the request was unlikely to be given the green light.

The Cabinet member for economic growth, development and environment at Lichfield District Council, said: “We have suggested that Tamworth Borough Council needs to do a full assessment of its ability to find space for its gypsy and traveller needs, as their evidence base highlights a lack of proper assessment in this area.

“However, it’s unlikely that we will be able to find an appropriate area for an extra gypsy and traveller pitch, as we have already identified a shortfall in meeting our own needs.”

A number of illegal traveller camps have sprung up across Lichfield in recent years, including one alongside the West Coast Main Line in Streethay and one on Shortbutts Park.

A report to Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet reveals that more than 20 possible locations for the sites required in Lichfield and Burntwood were explored – but only one at Bonehill Road in Mile Oak has been earmarked for a possible traveller site.

“The conclusions were that these sites were either unsuitable in planning policy terms of were lacking in deliverability,” the report added. “It is proposed therefore than the one pitch allocation be confirmed and that policy criteria are used to determine the suitability of proposals if and when they come forward in due course.”

 

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.