Lichfield Lib Dems on District Local Plan

The Lichfield Liberal Democrats  have set out their priorities for the new Local Plan for the District, now in the consultation stage.  

“The production of a new Local Plan, setting the course for the next 20 years of development in the district, gives us the opportunity to introduce new standards which will benefit all residents. Also, everyone’s views are important in contributing to this plan and I urge everyone in our district to add their voice to the current consultation using this link ” says Paul Ray, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Lichfield District Council.

Business

Though the development of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) is a crucial  objective, and one which should continue to be promoted, Paul Ray also adds that Lichfield is ideally placed as a site for larger enterprises, or even a government department. Not only does Lichfield enjoy excellent communication links with the rest of the country, but there is a large professional and managerial resident workforce, which currently has to commute to Birmingham, Manchester, or even London to find work. Such an aspiration should find its place into the revised local plan.

Alongside this, Councillor Hugh Ashton suggests that Lichfield could become an attractive centre for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). “Clearly for larger events, Birmingham NEC is the answer for such conferences or meetings,” he says, “but the central location of Lichfield would make it an ideal spot for national organisations to host smaller gatherings.” The recent awarding of the Purple Flag award to the city, recognising a vibrant and safe nighttime economy, is an additional attraction for organisations to hold meetings and conferences in the city. What is needed to achieve this objective, Ashton claims, is a multi-use facility, which could form part of the gateway Birmingham Road Site development and could be combined in part with the proposed hotel.

The Lib Dems also place a high priority on the regeneration of Burntwood town centre,  which has received relatively little attention in previous local plans, and wish to see the new plan contain full provision for this. 

Housing

When it comes to housing, the Council’s hands are very much tied by national policy. The revised National Planning Policy Framework, currently in consultation, is expected to announce dramatic changes in the number of houses that Lichfield District Council is expected to approve. There will be quotas for affordable and social housing (something that the Lib Dems see as an absolute priority if the housing crisis is to be tackled effectively). The Lib Dems also wish to see the Local Plan stipulate closer links with housing associations, and to explore the possibility of the Council directly managing social housing.

The location of new housing can, of course be a contentious issue. It is impossible to please every point of view. The Lib Dems do not feel that significant expansion around the edges of the city of Lichfield and the town of Burntwood is the answer. Nor is the solution to be found in large housing developments in existing villages, where the infrastructure and transport are inadequate to serve the increased population.

One proposal in the revised local plan is to create a new settlement, and the Lib Dems would endorse this alternative, while stipulating that transport links and infrastructure be developed at the same time as the housing. If the settlement is to be located  on the land near the National Memorial Arboretum, the railway line between Lichfield and Burton can be reopened, with the Alrewas station being renovated, also serving as the destination for one of Staffordshire’s largest tourist attractions, the Arboretum.

Infrastructure

When it comes to transport links, the Lib Dems are insistent that local bus services be improved, linking the more remote villages to the larger population centres. If necessary, the district should be managing these and looking to provide funding rather than leaving this function to the county council alone.

One of the visions set out by the current council is for a healthier community. Without wishing to introduce a “nanny state”, the Lib Dems are in favour of limiting the number of commercial establishments which do not promote a healthy lifestyle, for example, fast food restaurants. This can be done by stipulating the promotion of a healthy lifestyle as a planning requirement.

Finally the Lib Dems recommend that the local plan includes terms stating that planning applications for developments over a certain size should include a condition that suitable infrastructure be provided concurrently with, or in advance of, the dwelling units which comprise the development. We know that the local infrastructure (roads, schools, GP services etc) is a major concern to our community and so this needs to be directly addressed in the new local plan.