PLANS for a residential development on the former RAF Lichfield base in Fradley have been approved by Lichfield District Council.
The proposals for 350 houses as part of the latest phase of the redevelopment of the site were given the green light despite concerns over the level of affordable housing and the impact of a nearby pig farm.
The RAF Lichfield base was constructed in 1939 and saw planes including Hurricanes, Spitfires and Wellington Bombers flown from the airfield during the Second World War. It eventually closed in 1958.
Access to the new estate would come from the south of the site onto a current track road, which would be upgraded as part of the development.
Planning agent James Beynon told the committee:
“The current application is the final residential phase within the strategic development allocation for residential homes. It is for all intents and purposes the same application that came before many of you in 2018 at the planning committee.
“The delays since have been due to protracted discussions with Staffordshire County Council regarding the Section 106 agreement. We are now in a position where those issues are very close to being resolved, hence why we have brought the planning application back to you for determination.”
A number of councillors raised concerns at the level of affordable housing that the site would deliver.
The original 2018 application was approved with 13% earmarked for such use, however the resubmission only proposed 10% following a viability assessment – but discussions with the district valuer has increased this number to 15%.
The policy target for affordable housing in Lichfield district is 40%, although the annual viable target is currently only 28%.
Cllr Di Evans said:
“I am concerned about affordable housing.
“Despite what the district valuer said I do think it’s really vital, particularly in this day and age that we have the right percentage of affordable housing because year after year we haven’t had the right percentage.”
Concerns were also raised over the close proximity to the currently vacant Midland Pig site to the north of the plot.
Cllr Keith Vernon wanted assurances from planning officers that people moving into the houses wouldn’t be affected if the farm recommenced operations.
He said:
“The Midland Pig operations, I understand, are in quite close proximity to where the houses will be built.
“Now I don’t know if that is a pig farm or a pig slaughter house, but either way if I was buying one of these houses I wouldn’t want to be in close proximity to the pig operations.”
As a result, a condition applied to the application means a 200 metre buffer zone to houses is in place until the facility no longer has lawful use as a pig farm – with a proposal already in place for 184 homes, 122 assisted living units and other associated developments on that site.
The planning application for housing on the RAF Lichfield land was approved by councillors at Lichfield District Council with only one abstention.
Well homes are needed, there is no denying that. Where, is the point in contention. More people means more everything and it is self perpetuating. The problem, well one of them, here is that no other facilities are mentioned. Common sense tells us this is unsustainable.
This, of course, is not the end of developments. Its just 1,500,000 for this goverments term. Where it will end is not under consideration. From school to work. From sickness to recreation. Through life’s ages and old age. It will all need catering for. And it will carry on growing.
It seems to be galloping along for the last decade. We are becoming a country of multiple occupancy.
Absolutely disgusting the infrastructure at present is dire. How the hell will the A38 cope with all this extra traffic it’s a nightmare trying to get on the A38 already.
Why is the councillor concerned about building houses next to a redundant pig farm but a new estate is being built next to a sewerage farm in Curborough ? Weird ?
Good. Local young people should not have to move out of the area in order to get on the property ladder.
What a surprise
You can’t have voted Labour – whoxh Lichfield did – and then moan about this. Labour were clear. Build Build Build. Millions of new homes. Green lights to all applicants, presumtion in favour of development. On this they have not lied and are delivering.
More unaffordable housing for locals/first time buyers no doubt !
Is there really need for another huge housing estate. When will all this stop? The countryside around Lichfield is disappearing and the wildlife with it.
Another awful decision from LDC.
they won’t stop until they’ve built all the way to burton… despicable
Yet more houses for Fradley and still we have no GP practice.
The pig farm has been closed by leavesly for quite a few years , because there are plans to develop the land for more housing aswell the surrounding areas . It’s been in the plans for more than 15 years aswell as the rest of the land that was bought and sold for housing .
If there is such a thing as “affordable housing” then, logically, there must be “unaffordable housing”. Well who can afford that?