A report has recommended plans for 210 new homes on land near Lichfield are rejected.
The development off Browns Lane in Wigginton will be discussed by Lichfield District Council’s planning committee next week.
Objections have been raised by Wigginton, Hopwas and Comberford Parish Council over concerns about the impact on the local area and highways safety.
The report by planning officers said the scheme, which would include one to four bedroom properties, was “considered inappropriate and unacceptable”.
“It is noted that the level of growth proposed by this application would equate to an additional 210 units – or 18% – of growth in excess of the 1,165 dwellings which were allocated to the North of Tamworth through the Local Plan Allocations document.
“While it is acknowledged that the housing numbers set out in the Local Plan are only approximate, the proposed development would represent a significant increase in residential development in this area, well in excess of that envisaged through the Local Plan.”
Planning report
The development had been earmarked as affordable housing, but the planning report said that such properties were in demand in alternative locations across the district.
“It is noted that the scheme would provide for 100% affordable housing. The provision of affordable housing can be afforded weight as a material planning consideration. However, in the context of affordable housing delivery within the district, where the housing supply is robust, it is considered that limited weight can be attached to this.
“The identified need for affordable housing in this locality is significantly less than the number of dwellings proposed. This may result in affordable properties coming forward which are not needed.
“The council’s housing team have confirmed that while there are 409 people listed on the Lichfield Housing Register, only 14 people have identified that Wiggington as their first area of preference.”
Planning report
Councillors on the planning committee will make a decision on the proposed development on Monday (27th November).
We could probably try keep some countryside?
These planners are hilarious. They simply adjust the arguments to suit whatever whim they have at any given time. I thought we were desperate for more affordable housing? That’s all I ever hear. Oh but these people who want affordable housing want to be in the best areas in Lichfield of course. So entitled. If they are offered social housing in Wiggington they should take it or else be removed from the waiting list! This country is so pathetic.
Actually insane from the council.
“The identified need for affordable housing in this locality is significantly less than the number of dwellings proposed. This may result in affordable properties coming forward which are not needed.
“The council’s housing team have confirmed that while there are 409 people listed on the Lichfield Housing Register, only 14 people have identified that Wiggington as their first area of preference.”
So because it’s 15 minutes away the council turned down the offer.of halving the housing waiting list?
It’s like the council thinks it is it’s job to keep house prices inflated.
There seems to be some confusion between what is affordable housing and what is social housing. This proposal is for ‘affordable’ housing it will be available to any purchaser not just those on the council waiting list, many of whom cannot afford ‘affordable’ housing anyway.
The council will not own or have at its disposal any of these houses. It is a possibility that a housing association might purchase some or that they may attract the buy to let market.
I doubt the developer had any altruistic intentions for proposing the houses as affordable, they just hoped it might ger them through planning. It seems wrong to me anyway that we would impose further housing on Tamworth; although this could be part of the obligation the council has to Birmingham overspill. In that case no local people would get them anyway.
Philip, there is a general requirement that “affordable housing” will be split 65% socially rented and 35% shared ownership. This is stated in the Local Plan. So, unless we’re told otherwise, I think it’s safe to assume that more than half these proposed units will be up for social renting.
The thing the article doesnt mention above is that this is a cross boundary application with Tamworth. This means that Tamworth’s affordable housing numbers (and demand) could also benefit from the application, current waiting list in Tamworth is 431, meaning that Lichfield are denying a combined 840 people a potential home on the basis of a “lack of demand”. That is beyond scandalous.
Is everyone aware that for a number of years now – Lichfield has no “Council Owned” properties? I’m aware other areas (like some parts of Birmingham) still have Council & Housing Association properties! and they all seem to have the “bidding” system since the ‘Council Housing Register’s was closed in 2003! I still have proof of that on paper!