Cameron Homes seeks views on plans to build 450 new homes on 'grey belt' land in Chasetown

A public consultation process has been launched welcoming local opinions on the plans and this is open for comments until Friday October 10.

The proposed 20-hectare development, proposed for the village where the housebuilding firm has its head office, would include 12.6 hectares of family and affordable housing to meet the need for energy-efficient new homes, in line with Lichfield District Council’s requirements.

Bounded by Pavior’s Road, Highfields Road and the M6 Toll, the expansive 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 20 hectares 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 proposed to create family-focused recreation routes, along with sustainable drainage features, on the site located next to Chasewater Country Park and Heritage Railway.

Cameron Homes has appointed Pegasus to undertake master planning and coordinate a public consultation exercise with local residents, businesses and stakeholders.

Kate Tait, group strategic land and planning director for Cameron Homes, said: “This grey belt site has the potential to deliver significant investment, community facilities, vibrancy, and much-needed family and affordable housing to Chasetown. 

"Having been based in this village for over 30 years, Cameron Homes, Tara Group and the Noel Sweeney Foundation are already hugely invested in this community and the wider Burntwood parish. Over the past four years, we have donated £320,000 to community projects in the immediate area, with a focus on tackling homelessness and young people most in need of support.

“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 premium homes, while also providing new amenity space, Highways improvements and extensive green infrastructure.

“Lichfield District Council has a significant Housing Land Supply shortfall, so proposals like this are required to meet the local demand for new housing. We have had an initial meeting with local residents and will continue to work alongside officers, councillors and consultees while the plans for this site are progressed through the planning system.”

Cameron Homes’ initial plans for the land have emerged through a landscape-led approach, ensuring the existing boundary features are retained and enhanced. The main access for vehicles is proposed off Highfields Road, with new footway and cycle links connecting existing walking, cycling and public transport networks, to support active travel.

Surface water from the development would be managed through a sustainable drainage system, which will incorporate features that would provide ecological and water quality benefits across the site, located close to the national motorway network, five miles from Cannock Chase Hospital, Lichfield city centre and its train station.

Established in 1994, Cameron Homes has been constructing new homes across the Midlands for more than 30 years and the housebuilder is currently building more than 200 properties across 11 live developments as well as having a pipeline of future sites expected to deliver around 1,000 new homes. 

For more information about the proposal and to take part in the public consultation go to https://www.landoffhighfieldsroad.co.uk/