A community group has outlined its vision for the future of Burntwood.
Councillors, residents and representatives from local organisations attended the public meeting held by the Burntwood Action Group last week.
A series of presentations highlighted what the group says is a lack of planning for the future shape and needs of the town.
They are proposing changes such as former industrial sites being freed up for housing with a move towards developing new such sites on the periphery of Burntwood instead. There is also a call for a new health centre and pedestrianised shopping area.
A spokesperson said: “Burntwood has grown on an ad-hoc basis through infill between four villages and urban sprawl. Little thought had been put into the infrastructure required by such a conurbation that is now approaching the size of Lichfield in population.
“Lichfield District Council’s plans, currently out for consultation, do nothing to improve the situation and instead propose further housing sprawl into countryside which is highly valued by Burntwood residents.”
The Local Plan Allocations have identified some sites on the green belt which could be used for housing.
Representatives of the local authority – including Lichfield District Council’s leader Cllr Mike Wilcox – attended the meeting.
The group’s spokesperson added: “Residents left the meeting feeling that the council was now listening to longstanding complaints about how Burntwood has been allowed to development.”
