COUNCILLORS have agreed a deal to sell off land in Lichfield city centre for housing.
Under the proposals, CB Collier will buy the former Tempest Ford plot at the corner of St John Street and Birmingham Road and build a mix of more than 100 apartments and townhouses.
It would also feature a “linear park” running through the development to connect with the wider city centre and new cinema scheme.
Lichfield District Council voted in favour of the sale at a meeting last night (15th October).
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the authority, said:
“I’ve been involved intimately in every detail of this process – and what has come forward is a brilliant scheme that resonates with the architectural history of Lichfield while addressing a housing need on a brownfield site opposite the train station.
“It is the right thing for this council to approve.”
The proposal for the plot – which has sat empty since the collapse of the Friarsgate development plans – was put forward after work by the external Create Streets agency saw a new design code introduced.
But six members of the council abstained from the vote on the sale of the land, with Liberal Democrat representatives highlighting some concerns over the proposals.
Cllr Miles Trent said:
“The bidder proposes 106 residential units, which I would suggest is a significant number for that corner of the Birmingham Road Site – and many residents might agree.
“We’re informed that proposal meets the design code, but Create Streets talks about ‘gentle density’ to what is created in terms of the development. Members should consider very carefully whether 106 dwellings is gentle density.
“The Create Streets report also says the design should allow pedestrian permeability and the new development must encourage walking and cycling with streets prioritising pedestrians and cyclists. Do these designs do that?
“I do support the linear park design, but in my view this site is so important as a gateway to our city that we must get that balance right and ensure that the Birmingham Road Site is not overdeveloped.”
But other members said the time was now right for the council to move forward and resolve the long-standing legacy of the failed Friarsgate scheme.
Labour’s Cllr Steve Norman said:
“This site was discussed way back in 2000, so I don’t in ten years time still want to be here discussing it with no action.
“I’m always interested by references to this being gateway site when it was a car sales showroom previously – I’m not sure why that is nostalgic now and people like to go back to that and not to the housing being proposed in this project.
“I understand that it’s high density, but it doesn’t look that way to me and it’s not over-burdening.
“There’s been a number of launches over the years where we get very excited and then nothing happens.
“This is a scheme that isn’t perfect but you have to have mixed developments. If you don’t have housing then you don’t have funding to get the other things.
“It may not be easy to sell to people outside this chamber, but this at last gives us the opportunity to make the changes we’ve wanted to for some time.”
“This is a good scheme”
Cllr Richard Cox, Conservative member for Armitage with Handsacre, was another who echoed the call for action after years of frustration on the site.
“This scheme is what I would consider to be the nearest and best we’ve ever had.
“In the past we’ve had schemes that have had grandeur, but couldn’t be delivered, or that were optimistic and haven’t been delivered – but this is reality.
“This is a good scheme.”
Cllr Cox’s fellow Conservative ward councillor, Cllr Thomas Marshall, said the proposals would be something capable of bringing pride to Lichfield.
“CB Collier have come forward with something which will be incredibly beneficial for the city.
“High density can be a positive provided the design is correct – and what we have here is something inspirational and architecturally fantastic.
“Lichfield has come to a crossroads where we need to make sure all the development taking place from now on is something which we can be rightly proud.
“Who knows, in another 100 or 150 years time people will visit and go away full of pride and thinking that ‘all those years ago because of the guidance of the councillors and officers Lichfield got it just right’.”
It’s easy to do and brings in cash…..therefore it’s a ‘good scheme.’ The underlying tone in the quotes by Councillors hints at a ‘we know best’ attitude and that views and obvious concerns of residents don’t matter. As residents we should remember this decision on the next polling day. 106 residential properties on this small area is madness and greed. Let’s hope they call it Pullen Square or Norman Drive so we can all remember whose legacy this is.
Personally, if the plans are for anything like the artist impression, I congratulate those who had the guts to vote for this scheme. The homes look gorgeous, and will look very impressive for anyone coming into Lichfield. Labour government is forcing everywhere to build more homes and this is one plan that gives help in that direction for Lichfield and will revitalise the area for everyone. I also love the area of greenery that is planned throughout the new area. Best all round for everyone. Well done to those who voted to finally get rid of the eyesore of empty land that was a garage site previously.
I have lived in Lichfield for over fifty years. There has been many changes in that time. I have never felt so angry and disappointed at this council decision. It flies in the face of all previous promises.
A low, low time in our loyal and ancient city and its administration.
We all knew the answer before the question was asked, houses and more houses is all LDC love they simply couldn’t care less about anything else. OK Kennings wasn’t a lovely looking site but high density houses is equally as bad. No point in moaning anymore it’s a done deal, let’s hope no one buys them like other retirement homes only half sold.
Well it’s Done. the Gateway to our City is now gone to Housing.
7 years in the Waiting, hundreds and thousands of pounds wasted which this project will never ever recoup.
Artist impression is very nice but would have preferred the Greenery without this high density housing.
I see Everyman Posters are saying 2026!!! Completion for the Cinema
When is the proposed completion Date for this project. 2031?
Having previously worked for a very large building company, can I point out that artist impressions and the final build never match up.
As to these buildings being around in 100/150 years??
Lots more cash to “splurge” on some crackpot scheme no doubt?
At last some movement get started soon the need for accommodation grows very fast please make sure the building is up to good design and not to cramped say good riddance to the horrible boards
Effectively ending the role of the town centre for shopping. So now the new town centre will be Tamworth or Burton. Short sighted fools are putting personal choices over the people who they would appear to believe are beneath them.
Councillors are a foolish bunch of short sighted self serving bafoons. Is failing a test the only prerequisite to become one?
What condescending attitudes from the councillors towards the residents of Lichfield. Easily sold by the glossy brochures, and sales patter of a company who’s interest in Lichfield will only remain as long as there is money to be made. And seriously, does anyone genuinely believe that the artist impressions/designs will be an honest reflection of what we will get? Take a look at the artist designs for Streethay, or any of the other new developments in Lichfield, then visit the actual area and see how different those areas are to the original designs.
Enough with the negativity.
This looks like a very well-designed proposal, in the best connected part of Lichfield, with easy access to shops, cafes and restaurants, not to mention the Everyman Cinema in the near future. What’s not to like?
As a young professional working in London and living in Lichfield, this will certainly be at the top of my list if I’m looking to move when homes from this development become available.
All the moaners from the above comments should move to Tamworth if they think it’s such a good place to be (I’ve been to Tamworth town centre once – never again), the rest of us can enjoy Lichfield’s wonderful heritage, its thriving cafe culture and restaurant scene.
This was all in the Plan.
LDC had no intentions on building anything useful here. So they just sat on their butts, take all the flak, the criticisms, knowing that there would be more profit in selling the land for houses/accomodation.
😞Shame on you Lichfield District Council😞
If people think this is bad, wait till they build nearly 300 flats on the other two area’s, earmarked for housing.
Serious question what do Labour disagree with the Conservatives on? Leisure Centre (wrong spec and location), no, Cinema (good idea but at what cost/risk) no, this development (decent scheme as developments salvaging a mess) no. They blather on about scrutiny and different ways of working, uncut grass, slave trade but that seems to be about it?
Not so long they sneered at this scheme until they felt the public blowback, as most people wanted a retro heritage look. Now they seem to have u-turned?
Of course they need the development money for the Leisure centre/Cinema is the real reason we have ended up here.
As someone who is young. I am leaving Lichfield for the is very reason, in fact my flat went up for sale this week. I’ve had enough.
I would urge we respect not mock people or the principal that this is one of those rare moments of a key area opportunity that surpasses..
last minute suggestion – history story of Lichfield plus with the No of pubs, churches the shield, post war putting a last minute idea to developers mini museum as Lichfield is more than about a cell! or botanical to give something back with a growing city let’s not forget to keep growing the arts culture ie painting sculpting classes advice and wellbeing centre IT social hub cafe
People are keenly interested, celebrate were learning from the past coming forward with a desire pride to improve our environments it’s a balancing act yes but a chance to see space provide a purpose as well as enhancing the enjoyment experience of the area. Space has been abandoned neglected and an eye sore for so long Good to see movement and let’s hope activity asap! You come off main transport links to billboarding! No more stalling keep going please.