Residents in Burntwood are being warned that developers are still eyeing up land for housing despite opposition from councillors and locals.
Cllr Steve Norman made his comments ahead of the Local Plan going to Lichfield District Council’s cabinet on 10th May.
The document outlines where new homes will be built over the next two decades in the region.
But despite some areas falling outside of these earmarked allocations, Cllr Norman said consultations received as part of the Local Plan process showed that developers still had their sights firmly set on other land across the town.
“I note that in Burntwood, Bloor Homes are still arguing for development on Green Belt land off Coulter Lane which they say could deliver around 480 new homes and which unfortunately the council accepted at one point to be downgraded to ‘reserved for development’.
“Yet again, perhaps the biggest private landowner in Burntwood, London and Cambridge Properties still argue that the town centre site – known as the blue hoardings site – should be for houses alone claiming they have tried for 35 years to attract retail development.
“Residents overwhelmingly rejected this in the recent referendum on the Burntwood Neighbourhood Plan.”
Cllr Steve Norman, Lichfield District Council
The Local Plan submission was deferred in December last year to allow for the council to assess the document against its own climate change ambitions.
The meeting of Lichfield District Council to discuss approving the document for formal submission will take place on 10th May.
