Cameron Homes has submitted an outline planning application to Lichfield District Council for a 20-hectare development of up to 430 homes and community facilities in Chasetown, Burntwood.
The £150million grey belt scheme would revitalise the former mining village in Staffordshire and make a significant contribution to the district’s housing needs.
Bounded by Pavior’s Road, Highfields Road and the M6 Toll, the site is currently inaccessible to the public and considered ‘grey belt’ under the government’s new national planning policy. Cameron Homes proposes opening up the land for new on-site public open space, children’s play areas, significant wildlife habitats and further biodiversity enhancements. Highways improvements and new pedestrian and cycle links are also planned, to create family-focused recreation routes, alongside sustainable drainage features.
12.6Ha of the 20-hectare site is proposed for energy-efficient new homes, with 185 of the 430 plots designated for affordable housing, 15% above the council’s current policy requirement.
Pre-application discussions and a public consultation process have helped to shape the planning application. Pegasus has undertaken the masterplanning and planning consultancy services for Cameron Homes, whose head office is located in the same village as the development site.
Kate Tait, group strategic land and planning director for Cameron Homes, said: “This grey belt site is currently inaccessible, unutilised land in a highly sustainable location, where bus routes, schooling and high street amenities are within easy walking distance.”
“Chasetown has a long history as a mining village, but with the last mine here closing down in 1959, this large site presents a compelling opportunity to deliver energy-efficient aspirational homes, while also providing new amenity space, Highways improvements and extensive green infrastructure. Our £150m plans would create hundreds of construction jobs, revitalise the area and deliver benefits for the whole community.”
“Lichfield District Council has a significant Housing Land Supply shortfall, with Burntwood needing to accommodate 1,350 new dwellings by 2029. Strategic proposals like this are required to meet the local demand for new housing. We will continue to work alongside Officers, Councillors and consultees while this planning application is considered.”
The site occupies a highly accessible location, next to Chasewater Country Park and Heritage Railway. Moments from the national motorway network, the site is five miles from Cannock Chase Hospital, Lichfield city centre and its train station, which offers frequent regional and national services. Central Birmingham is 14 miles away.
The latest Future Homes Standard green energy features will be incorporated into the plans for this scheme, with a very high EPC rating targeted. The housebuilder’s specification includes Smart Hive thermostats, electric vehicle car chargers and solar PV panels. The company is currently delivering over 200 homes across 11 live developments and has a pipeline of future sites expected to deliver circa 1,000 new homes.
