A campaign group has raised concerns that plans for up to 4,500 new homes could effectively eliminate the greenbelt gap separating the towns of Lichfield and Tamworth.
Lichfield District Council is considering the creation of new settlements to address housing targets, with Packington Hall Farm-a parcel of greenbelt land situated between the two towns-among the sites under review.
The group Preventing Inappropriate Greenbelt Sprawl (PIGS) has voiced strong opposition to development on this land, arguing it would “permanently change” the historic relationship between Lichfield and Tamworth.
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Packington Hall Farm lies near the A51 corridor, flanked by Whittington Barracks and Hopwas Woods. Alongside this site, proposals for new settlements across the Lichfield district include locations such as Thorpe Estate, Thorpe Constantine, Whitemoor Garden Village, and Brookhay.
A feasibility study commissioned by Lichfield District Council and conducted by consultants Hyas estimated that Packington Hall Farm could accommodate between 2,500 and 3,000 homes. However, the report highlighted concerns that the development might lack the “critical mass” required to sustain a comprehensive range of services and amenities necessary for an independent settlement.
Despite these concerns, the study identified Packington as the least constrained site with the lowest risk, largely due to existing developers involved and unified land ownership. It suggested that increasing housing density or expanding the land parcel could raise the total number of homes to over 4,000.
Currently, plans are under consideration for a more extensive scheme encompassing approximately 4,500 homes across 550 acres. These proposals have sparked apprehension among local residents about the possible loss of the strategic open space between the two towns.
A PIGS spokesperson stated: “Residents seek clarity on how land deemed ‘not suitable’ and ‘not developable’ by the council in 2025/26 is concurrently subject to land promotion agreements and council-funded feasibility studies for a major new settlement. Additionally, we question why Packington was the sole site within the council’s jurisdiction selected for a detailed Arup greenbelt assessment.
“We acknowledge the need for more housing and support development in suitable and sustainable locations. This campaign is not about opposing development near us; it is about determining whether Packington is a genuinely appropriate and sustainable solution, and calling for transparency instead of private dealings with property developers.
“A development of this magnitude would irrevocably alter the relationship between Lichfield and Tamworth, two historic towns whose identities are shaped by their status as separate communities. Once this gap is lost, it cannot be restored.”
The group encourages residents to submit their views on the local plan’s scoping document ahead of the consultation deadline at 5pm on Monday 5 October.