Council signs agreement to create new social housing

LICHFIELD District Council has signed a deal that will provide 28 new social houses for residents.

The legal agreement with Persimmon Homes represents one of the largest additions to the council’s housing portfolio in recent years.

The properties will come from the Cricket Lane and will be made up from a mix of one to four bed houses and will generate a yearly rental income of £104,539.08. However, the council is expecting upkeep cost of £100,000.

Cllr Alex Farrell, cabinet member for housing and the Local Plan, said:

“I think this is a major step forward for us as a district.

“These 28 new social rented homes have come at no cost and will make a real difference to families who need good quality places to live.

“I believe this demonstrates our agreement to expand our council housing stock and meet the needs of our growing communities with high quality energy efficient homes that are protected for the long term.

“It’s a great thing that as a council we are stepping into this area. Historically, housing has been done in Lichfield district by a variety of providers and I think it’s important we play our part and show the world we can do a really good job of it.”

Currently there are 616 households on the housing register with 50 choosing the St Johns ward as their first area of preference to live in.

Following the transfer – which is expected in 2027 – the council say they will “quickly” make them available to residents.

The move is part of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 which aims to increase the number of social homes in the district, with an ambition that the authority will own up to 199 homes for temporary accommodation and social rent.