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# Leader hits back at Lib Dem councillor after Lichfield city centre redevelopment criticism
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/leader-blasts-lib-dem-councillor-over-lichfield-city-centre-redevelopment-criticism/
- Published: 2022-01-11T11:46:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-01-11T00:00:16.000Z
- Description: The leader of Lichfield District Council has hit back at a Lib Dem councillor who criticised delays over redevelopment of the city centre.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:15, News

The leader of Lichfield District Council has hit back at a Lib Dem councillor who criticised delays over redevelopment of the city centre.

![The former Tempest Ford site in Lichfield city centre](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image0-13.jpg)

The former Tempest Ford site in Lichfield city centre

It comes after Cllr Paul Ray had [warned patience was wearing thin](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/patience-of-residents-is-wearing-thin-on-long-awaited-city-centre-redevelopment-lichfield-councillor-says/) on the land left vacant by the failed Friarsgate scheme.

But Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the Conservative-controlled council, said work was taking place to get the long-awaited redevelopment up and running on the rebranded Birmingham Road Site – and added that his Lib Dem counterpart should engage more in the process himself.

> “In the last six months, Cllr Ray, you’ve barely scraped a 50% attendance record at Lichfield District Council – maybe if you bothered to show up you could help?  
>  
> “Meanwhile, I’ve been getting on with it to bring a cinema, jobs and green space to Lichfield’s stunning city centre.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council

Cllr Ray, who represents the Chadsmead ward, responded saying that he had already put forward ideas to revamp the area.

> “I’ve raised specific proposals with you directly about alternative uses for the former Debenhams store as an indoor market and craft market, and available funding sources.  
>  
> “I just want you to get on and deliver.”  
>  
> Cllr Paul Ray, Lichfield District Council

The war of words comes after Cllr Pullen [said residents would see “visible progress”](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/council-leader-vows-visible-progress-will-be-made-on-former-friarsgate-site-over-the-next-12-months/) made on the redevelopment of the former Friarsgate site over the next 12 months.

> “The area clearly needs sorting, but we are expecting details to come to cabinet in February that will give a clearer indication of timeframes.  
>  
> “We do know that what residents want is a cinema, food and beverage outlets and open space, but in order to support those we need residential to be part of the mix, but I am keen to see that limited to only as much as is needed.  
>  
> “We’ll hopefully be able to confirm the exact mix over the next three to six months.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council