News Release

23rd April 2007

HOUSE BUILDING IN LICHFIELD DISTRICT

Michael Fabricant has welcomed the moratorium on house building in Lichfield District. Michael Fabricant says: "I have long been concerned that the indecent rush for house building in Lichfield may be good news for the construction industry, but is bad news for Lichfield which could lose its identity as a well balanced community. I do not want to see Lichfield become like Sutton Coldfield - now a mere suburb of Birmingham's sprawl.

"Not only does Lichfield risk losing its identity, extra homes needs extra infrastructure including new schools and other amenities. There are no signs at present that the Labour controlled County Council plan to build them. This announcement is good news to those who share my view."

A copy of the announcement follows below.

Lichfield District Council Conservative Group Press Information (3)

Tories to review major housing plans in Lichfield District.

Lichfield District Conservatives today launched plans for consultation on new housing schemes in the area for the next four years.

The proposals contained in a report to the District's Cabinet on 1st May proposes a consultation on the management and delivery of housing growth.

Following Government amendments to planning densities which have left sites with twice the number of houses originally proposed, Lichfield District Conservatives are calling for consultation on housing growth levels across the district

Development Portfolio holder Neil Roberts stated, "We have seen considerable housing development in the district over the past few years and because of changes by the Government this has resulted in a growth far in excess of the level we considered could be contained within the district"

"We will continue with our policy of permitting development on sustainable sites and where possible maintain the supply of affordable homes."

"What we are proposing is a slowdown on major new sites over and above those that have already been given planning permission, this will give us the time to fight both the Government and Staffordshire County Council proposals that the bulk of Birmingham overspill should be built in Lichfield District."