Burntwood will not be forgotten if Lichfield’s Friarsgate scheme gets the go-ahead, the leader of Lichfield District Council has vowed.
A consultation is currently taking place on the city centre redevelopment project, which Cllr Mike Wilcox has previously described as being at the “forefront” of the local authority’s thinking.
Labour councillor Di Evans has complained that Burntwood is being treated as “the poor relation”.
But Cllr Wilcox insists providing the town with shopping facilities is still high on the council’s agenda.
“After seeing the success of the Lichfield Business Improvement District vote we are now talking to Staffordshire County Council about getting a deal for Burntwood as we need to make sure the town isn’t left out,” he said.
“We’re talking to London and Cambridge Properties who own a lot of land in Burntwood to do all we can to ensure they make that land available for retailers, which they’re starting to do.
“We’re seeing hundreds of houses being built too and Burntwood Town Council are talking with Labour’s Sue Woodward and the county council to see what can be done to enhance the offering for Burntwood.
“It won’t be a Friarsgate, but it will be a retail offering. Burntwood is an important part of a district and we need to make sure it isn’t forgotten.”
