Lichfield Civic Soc

We comment on planning applications, housing, shopping & environmental schemes. Monthly meetings with speakers on local topics & Newsletter. Membership £15pa

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

So officers report that the Angel Croft etc scheme in Beacon Street should be refused. It may not be perfect, but offers multiple benefits to this area. After 10 years of delay and decay, it's time to improve this area now, not strive for perfection. It has the Society's support

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

But is this plan deliverable? Is it sustainable? Will the physical & social infrastructure cope? Will it promote much needed affordable homes or just provide builders with more land for profitable premium housing? Questions which to be explored at any forthcoming public inquiry.

[Lichfield Live® @LichfieldLive]

Plan outlining where thousands of new homes could be built in Lichfield and Burntwood to be discussed by cabinet https://t.co/lZLGEWSibV

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

We look forward to reading the Council's planning report (due Jan) on the Angel Croft/Westgate House scheme in Beacon Street. We are happy, on balance, to support the proposals because, although we have some reservations, there are many benefits. It requires careful consideration

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

New housing proposed in the Local Plan is partly aimed at the needs of Birmingham. But house prices are much higher here and cannot be afforded by Bham residents. Mortgage rules are tight these days. Yet the Council presses on with an undeliverable policy.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Society has long warned of the consequences of yet more housing on the edge of the City. We always advocated a new freestanding settlement and were always ignored. Cllr Little has expressed concern over a policy which will smother the outskirts with more sprawling estates.

[BSARA @beaconstreetara]

Looks like Friarsgate is about to repeat itself
“Wrong development in the Wrong place at the Wrong time.”
Will Lichfield District Council ever listen and learn.Sadly the business case looks fragile, struggling to raise the money points to investors not prepared to back it.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

Stychbrook Park for a leisure centre? But no sports hall and therefore no provision for team games. This proposal requires a rethink. At the very least, clubs will want reassurance about where they can continue playing indoor team games.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

Alleyways with doglegs are never popular. People like a clear view from end to end. Otherwise, you can always wonder who's waiting for you just around the corner. At the very least an angled mirror is needed.

[Lichfield District Council @Lichfield_DC]

We’ve closed the footpath between Bird Street car park and Market Street so we can upgrade the lighting to make it safer at night. Thanks for bearing with us while we carry out these essential works today and tomorrow (25 & 26 Aug).

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Council Cabinet on 7 Sept discusses restructuring the Development Management Team dealing with planning applications. A difficult working environment means unfilled vacancies and staff under stress. So why create more posts as a solution? Sounds like a deeper wider problem?

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

10000 new homes are planned before 2040 in the draft Local Plan now out for consultation. Of the 3300 proposed between Lichfield and Curborough, just over 650 are for Lichfield's needs; over 2550 are for Birmingham and Black Country incomers.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The District Council are now consulting on the Local Plan 2040. It's important for everyone to comment. 3300 new homes are proposed between Lichfield and Curborough. Once they are policy in the local plan, the later planning application is a formality. The homes will go ahead.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

Looks like the Govt's planning reforms are in for a difficult ride. What they mean is that once land is broadly zoned for development (thru the local plan?) residents are likely to have no further say in influencing the detailed proposals. We wait the Bill's detail with interest.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Council is holding a public exhibition in the Three Spires Shopping Centre to consult the public on improving the City Centre environment. It runs from 21 June to 2 July. Pop in if you're in the shopping centre and have a chat with the consultants.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

Comments on the planning application to close the Tanneries footpath during the evening and night can be sent to the Council before 6 May. We think there's a legal agreement requiring it to be permanently open, agreed by the Council in Kwiksave days. Please check your records.

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Council has resolved to scrap some Scrutiny Committees to replace them with task groups. One to go scrutinises planning and development. Is this is right when Lichfield is seeing more housing devt? Will the "task groups" be transparent? Where's accountability gone?

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Great Encirclement of Lichfield by large new housing developments continues apace. The next green area which has been allowed is at Cricket Lane, for both housing and commercial development. These schemes will affect the character of Lichfield as a small cathedral city.

[Lichfield Live® @LichfieldLive]

Work to begin on traffic island for new Lichfield housing development https://t.co/jKpjOSrsdc

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Civic Society supports this petition. We can see little technical justification for the loss of part of the Festival Gardens, however small the land take. There appear to be few delays or accidents at this junction which would justify the scheme.

[Lichfield Live® @LichfieldLive]

More than 1,700 sign petition against plan for public gardens in Lichfield to be used for junction improvements https://t.co/8IIxQHkEJ5

[Lichfield Live® @LichfieldLive]

Petition launched in a bid to stop open space in Lichfield being used for junction improvements https://t.co/yjlfhdJRLc

[Lichfield Civic Soc @lichfieldcivic]

The Civic Society strongly supports this view. Secretiveness breeds rumour and suspicion, especially when the proposal is so contentious. It also places councillors who may support a more open approach, in an impossible position with their constituents.

[Lichfield Live® @LichfieldLive]

Committee member says she “cannot see any reason” why land sale investigation is being discussed behind closed doors https://t.co/qKZiCHLAWl