> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Campaigners claim developers are circling Lichfield’s greenbelt land - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/campaigners-claim-developers-are-circling-lichfields-greenbelt-land/ - Published: 2009-10-05T08:00:48.000Z - Updated: 2009-10-06T06:10:41.000Z - Author: Lichfield Live - Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:52, News ![The site of aproposed housing developmentin Streethay](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/streethayhousingsite.jpg "streethayhousingsite") The site of a proposed housing development in Streethay Campaigners have claimed that the approval for Lichfield District Council’s Local Development Plan will spark a rush from developers eager to get their hands on the city’s greenbelt land. The claim comes from David Woods, the chairman of Lichfield District Residents Alliance. Mr Woods believes that developers are already putting in the groundwork ahead of the report being approved. He explained: > “Developers outline plans for major development on greenbelt land in the South Lichfield are already in circulation and they are conducting traffic surveys in the area. This gives people the impression that they are confident that the Council will press on regardless of the outcome of the public consultation. > > “Judging by recent activity it looks as though developers will rush to build on greenfield and greenbelt land as soon as the District Council’s Local Development Plan is approved.” The Alliance is opposed to the proposed scale of development in Lichfield District as they believe it is based on externally imposed targets and not on an investigation of real needs. Campaigners have criticised plans for new housing development across Lichfield district, including Burntwood and Streethay. Mr Woods added: > “Planners have concentrated on finding land to meet the Regional Assembly imposed target of 8,000 new houses in the period 2006-2026 when they should have been looking at the real housing needs and the land capacity to meet them. We maintain that this is much lower than the imposed target and should be accommodated without the need to build on greenfield or greenbelt land. > > ‘The Regional Spatial Strategy is seriously flawed since it should have directed more of the housing development to the major urban centres where there is a vast amount of derelict and brownfield land that needs redevelopment.’ says David. ‘Unfortunately, we were not aware that it was subject to examination by a government appointed Inspector and couldn’t make our views known in time.’ Lichfield District Council is due to publish its Core Strategy and Local Development Framework for consultation later this year following which it will be examined by a government appointed Inspector before approval is given. But Mr Woods admitted that the Alliance campaigners were ready to battle the plans every step of the way. He said: > “We believe that the District Council’s proposals will be unsound and are preparing evidence to this effect for submission during the consultation period. This evidence will be forwarded to the Inspector for consideration.” Lichfield District Council responded to the Alliance’s stance by admitting that they would continue to fight over-development, but admitted that much of the decision-making was out of their hands. ![Councillor David Smith](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/davidsmith.jpg "davidsmith") Councillor David Smith Council Leader David Smith explained: > “As councillors we are as passionate about protecting the district from unnecessary development as anyone else. Most people don’t realise it, but local councils, like Lichfield District Council, are not in direct control of the numbers of houses that will be built in the district over the coming years. These are set by Government through the Regional Spatial Strategy, which states all local development frameworks must conform to its principles, policies and proposals. > > “That said, we haven’t just sat back and accepted the numbers we were initially told we needed to accommodate. In 2007 it was suggested that as many as 16,000 new homes could be needed up to 2026, so we lobbied hard and, as a result, the numbers were cut by 50 per cent to 8,000\. This is a reduction when compared to the level of house building we’ve seen over the last ten years. As a council we will continue to lobby for sustainable housing levels on behalf of the district and fight against any increases in houses numbers. > > “We will also do what we can to make sure that any new homes are built in the best possible locations, which we will achieve through our new local development framework, and with the help of local people who have commented as part of our [‘I Love Lichfield District’ consultation](http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/newldf?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk). > > “I would urge anyone who feels passionately about the housing levels set for the district to find out more about the Regional Spatial Strategy, and take part in any future consultations. More details can be found at [www.gos.gov.uk/gowm](http://www.gos.gov.uk/gowm?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk).”