More than 4,000 residents have signed a petition urging Lichfield District Council to remove land at Packington Hall Farm from its new local plan proposals. The campaign group behind the petition warns that the site could be developed into a sprawling settlement of approximately 4,500 houses.
The land, located between the historic towns of Lichfield and Tamworth, forms part of the greenbelt and campaigners fear that development would bring the two towns closer to merging. There are also concerns about the potential loss of nearby ancient woodland, including Hopwas Woods, which is highly valued by the local community.
The local plan currently under discussion will direct development across the district until 2046. To meet government housing targets, the district must provide 769 new homes annually. As part of this, the council is exploring new settlement options on sites such as Thorpe Estate, Thorpe Constantine, Whitemoor Garden Village, and land at Brookhay.
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Campaigners maintain that the fields between Lichfield and Tamworth are an integral part of the area’s character and heritage, offering tranquility and natural beauty. They stress the importance of protecting Packington Hall Farm and its surroundings to preserve the district’s environment, historical identity, and community spirit.
The petition states that the proposed development not only threatens open countryside and working farmland but also places ancient woodland at risk. Furthermore, it argues that building on this land would erase the distinct identities of Lichfield and Tamworth by creating a continuous urban area.