Residents “angered” by the collapse of the Friarsgate scheme could take their revenge out at the ballot box, according to Labour’s candidate for a by-election in Lichfield.

An artist's impression of the new Friarsgate development
An artist’s impression of the Friarsgate development

The decision to scrap the city centre redevelopment after more than a decade is set to be confirmed at a meeting of Lichfield District Council tonight (June 26).

Colin Ball
Colin Ball

But with residents in the Curborough ward ready to vote for a new representative at the local authority, Labour’s candidate Colin Ball believes the inability to see Friarsgate become a reality could cost the Conservatives.

“Our campaign team have been out and about regularly and we’ve been getting very positive responses on the doorstep,” he said.

“Voters have been rightly angered by the collapse of Friarsgate and are eager to see change at the council so it can deliver for Lichfieldians.

“By the end of the campaign, we will have knocked on pretty much every door in the ward, and if elected I will be pushing the Tories hard to sort out the Friarsgate fiasco, offering to get involved in an all party working group to help sort it out, as well as arguing strongly for more new, good quality and genuinely affordable housing in Lichfield.”

The by-election was called following the death of Conservative councillor Jeanette Allsop earlier this year.

Candidates for the Curborough ward Lichfield District Council by-election:

  • Colin Ball (Labour)
  • Lee Cadwallader-Allan (Liberal Democrats)
  • Jayne Marks (Conservatives)

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