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# Call for additional scrutiny over new historic shopfront design code and grants scheme for Lichfield city centre
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/call-for-additional-scrutiny-over-new-historic-shopfront-design-code-and-grants-scheme-for-lichfield-city-centre/
- Published: 2026-04-17T06:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-15T11:21:14.000Z
- Description: Plans for a new scheme aiming to promote historic shopfronts and provide a new grants scheme have been called in for debate by opposition councillors.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:11, News

PLANS for a new scheme aiming to promote historic shopfronts and provide a new grants scheme have been called in for debate by opposition councillors.

A special meeting of Lichfield District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee will be held next week to debate the proposals.

Under [the initiative](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/programme-aiming-to-improve-appearance-of-shopfronts-in-lichfield-city-centre/), the scheme would see a new design code to ensure future work would “respect and enhance” the historic character of the city centre area.

The programme includes restoring traditional timber shopfronts, reinstating historic architectural features, installing approved signage and lighting, and removing modern alterations in and around Market Square, , Bird Street, Market Street, Tamworth Street and Sandford Street.

A new grant scheme would also be launched to support independent businesses as part of the plans, with £900,000 set aside over the next two years.

But Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the opposition Labour group at Lichfield District Council, has called in [the cabinet decision](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/cabinet-backs-scheme-to-help-restore-and-improve-historic-shopfronts-in-lichfield-city-centre/) over concerns over a lack of scrutiny and unanswered questions.

A statement explaining the request said:

> “Proper processes have not been followed with media promotion prior to the cabinet decision.  
>  
> “This decision requires much further scrutiny as many issues raised in the report and in the debate require clarification, such as details of the scoring criteria and assessment process, the numerous red RAG scores, details of any consultation undertaken so far, transparency of decisions and governance.  
>  
> “A new design code for shop frontages is still only in development so it is unclear how this will affect the decision  
>  
> “Only one member is involved in the processes for awarding grants which I feel is unacceptable. Neither ward members nor the city centre masterplan task group have been consulted  
>  
> “There is uncertainty still around whether or how much additional funding might be needed  
>  
> “There needs to be far more clarity around any enforcement action proposed to address the current 150 planning breaches in the designated area  
>  
> “An allocation of £75,000 was in the 2024-25 medium-term financial strategy for a Heritage Lottery bid for the whole district. There appears to have been no progress on this, but it should not be used for this scheme.”

The special overview and scrutiny committee meeting will be held on 21st April.