A CAMPAIGN group has warned that a new settlement of up to 4,500 new homes could end the separation between Lichfield and Tamworth.
Lichfield District Council is having to meet an increased target on the number of new homes needing to be built each year in order to meet revised Government targets.
Part of solving the shortfall in the long term could be the creation of a new settlement.
But members of the Preventing Inappropriate Greenbelt Sprawl (PIGS) group say suggestions that Packington could be one of the locations for such a development would "permanently change" the relationship between Lichfield and Tamworth as separate settlements.
They claim that although the site was assessed in Lichfield District Council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment published earlier this year as not suitable, detailed investigations about a potential development have been taking place.
PIGS says a study by consultants has suggested that 4,500 homes could be built.
A spokesperson said:
"Residents want to understand how land assessed by the council as 'not suitable' and 'not developable' in 2025-26 has, at the same time, been the subject of land promotion agreements and feasibility studies regarding a major new settlement.
"We recognise that more homes are needed, and we support development in appropriate and sustainable locations. This is not about saying 'no development near us' – it is about establishing whether Packington is genuinely an appropriate or sustainable solution, and asking for transparency to be prioritised above private conversations with property developers.
"A development of this scale would permanently change the relationship between Lichfield and Tamworth, two ancient towns whose character is based on their relationship as separate settlements.
"Once the gap between the areas has been lost, it cannot be recreated."
The council is currently carrying out an initial consultation until 5th October on its new Local Plan along with a call for sites.
A statement on the council's planning policy consultation portal said:
"As part of the new Local Plan preparation, we are undertaking a call for sites exercise to help us identify potential sites that may be able to help meet the district’s development needs in the future.
"This invites landowners, developers and other interested parties to submit land for consideration for a range of uses, including housing, employment sites, traveller sites and retail.
"It is important to note that this is a land availability exercise, and it does not necessarily mean that these sites are suitable for development."
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