Developers behind a major new development in Lichfield say it will create “a genuine community”.
IM Properties have been given the go-ahead for 750 new homes, a primary school, care village, shops, a community centre, playing fields and public open space on land at Curborough.
The scheme was approved by Secretary of State Sajid Javid over-ruled local planners who had rejected the development off Watery Lane in 2014.
IM Land’s strategic land director, Jonathan Dyke, said he was extremely satisfied with the decision.
“This is nearly three years of extremely hard work and significant resources to get to the point where we can deliver a scheme which will have a positive impact on the area,” he said.
“We believe the proposals will create a genuine community, with the playing fields, the public open space, and the care village to enable local people to thrive and support economic growth in the region.
“There are still a lot of discussion ahead with Lichfield regarding the detailed design of the scheme, but we are going in with an open mind about what we can do for them, and the people in this area, to enhance their infrastructure.”
Residents had objected to the proposals back in 2014, with one saying the area was unsuitable for a major development.
They said: “It would damage the countryside and wildlife, have a negative impact on the businesses in the area that thrive on it’s rural location and would increase the traffic on the already overused and unsafe Watery Lane.”
