A councillor has warned a number of developers plotting to build on green belt land are only interested in profiting at the expense of people living in Burntwood.
Cllr Di Evans, leader of the Labour opposition group at Burntwood Town Council, made her comments as the inquiry began into the district’s Local Plan document – which will define where developments can take place.
There has been concern over the future of green belt land in the town and Cllr Evans, who also sits on Lichfield District Council, said it was essential land was protected where necessary.
“I’ve attended the session relating to Burntwood and was pleased to hear that the Coulter Lane and Highfield Road development sites have been withdrawn,” she said. “But I am still concerned about submissions being made by developers who are only interested in profiting at the expense of Burntwood residents.
“They are arguing to be able to build anywhere and everywhere, taking little or no account of the importance of preserving our precious green belt.”
Lichfield Labour councillor Colin Ball warned that a ‘David versus Goliath’ battle was emerging in a bid to keep land out of reach of the developers.
“At one of the sessions I’ve attended, there were a dozen or so developers and their teams putting the case to build willy nilly on the green belt,” he added. “But I feel that our planning team put up a very strong case, defending the Lichfield District Council position.
“It seemed to me to be a load of developer Goliaths up against David, although David was more than holding his own.
“I had the chance to make a statement, on behalf of the Labour groups on Lichfield District Council and Burntwood Town Council, supporting the district council’s position on the green belt.
“Let’s hope that the Inspector takes the same view – and helps preserve our green belt.”
