Plans to build 450 new homes alongside wildlife habitats and a new country park in the Midlands village of Stonnall have moved closer to realisation after the conclusion of a public consultation.
Developer David Wilson Homes is preparing to submit a planning application to Lichfield District Council for the Grove Hill site, a tract of land bounded by Main Street, Chester Road, and Church Road.
The proposed development includes the construction of a sports pavilion, a new village hall, parking facilities for the local playing fields, and additional parking for St Peter’s Church. At the centre of the proposal is a new country park, envisioned to cover nearly 12 hectares-equivalent to 18 football pitches-focused around the Lone Tree at the top of Grove Hill.
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Despite the scale of the development, there are no plans to build a new primary school. According to the consultation feedback, the existing primary school is operating below capacity, and the number of primary school-aged children in Stonnall is projected to decline without the development. However, the plans do include the possibility of funding a pre-school nursery.
The proposals have met with strong local opposition. One resident commented:
“This is a village of 2,000 people. The 2,000 people moved here because they want a quiet village life. This proposal would double our village which is completely unacceptable. Even from a non-selfish point, this does not have the infrastructure to cope with the massive increase in population. The roads are narrow and already falling apart due to poor maintenance and being used as a rat run.”
The consultation website explains that Lichfield District Council is legally required to maintain sufficient land with planning permission to accommodate 782 new homes annually over five years. Currently, the council faces a shortfall of 1,055 homes. Consequently, it must grant planning permissions to address this deficit.
The Grove Hill development is positioned as part of the solution to this housing shortage. David Wilson Homes asserts that the site is capable of delivering up to 450 new homes, supplemented by significant areas of public open space, improved infrastructure, and associated facilities.
As the developer prepares to submit the outline planning application, the future of Grove Hill hangs in the balance amid ongoing community concerns and housing pressures within the district.