Plans to build up to 450 new homes on the Grove Hill site in Stonnall have taken a major step forward after the public consultation formally closed. Developer David Wilson Homes is now preparing to submit an outline planning application to Lichfield District Council for the scheme, which also includes a country park, wildlife habitats and a range of new community facilities.
The proposed development site sits on land between Main Street, Chester Road and Church Road, and has been identified by the developer as a key opportunity to help address the council's chronic housing land shortfall. But the plans have already sparked concerns among villagers who say the development would more than double the size of their community.
What is planned for the Grove Hill site?
According to the consultation documentation, the project would deliver up to 450 new homes, alongside significant areas of public open space and environmental enhancements. The proposals also include the potential provision of a sports pavilion, a new village hall, parking for the playing fields and additional parking for St Peter's Church.
One of the standout features of the scheme is the new country park, which would be centred around the Lone Tree at the top of Grove Hill. The park is planned to cover nearly 12 hectares of land, which is the equivalent of 18 football fields. This would provide valuable green space for both current and future residents of Stonnall.
Interestingly, the plans do not include a new primary school. The consultation explains that the existing school operates below capacity and that the number of primary school-aged children in Stonnall is expected to fall in the absence of the development. However, the developer says the plans could provide funding towards a pre-school nursery to support young families moving into the area.
Why is the development needed?
The consultation website sets out the stark housing position facing Lichfield District Council. It states: "Lichfield District Council is required, under national planning regulations, to have sufficient land with planning permission for new homes that will allow 782 new homes to be built each year for five years." "This is not the case and the council has a shortfall of 1,055 homes," the website continues. "As a consequence, the council will be required to grant planning permissions to address the housing shortfall." The site at Grove Hill, it says, could help overcome this shortfall.
David Wilson Homes, which has assessed the site extensively, believes it can provide up to 450 new homes to help meet this urgent need. The developer says the scheme would also deliver "significant areas of new public open space, infrastructure and associated facilities". The outline application will be submitted specifically to help the council address its five-year housing land supply shortfall.
Residents hit out at 'completely unacceptable' scheme
However, the proposals have met with strong resistance from local residents, who argue that Stonnall is not equipped to handle such a large increase in population. One resident who responded to the consultation said: "This is a village of 2000 people. The 2000 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," they added. "The roads are narrow and already falling apart due to poor maintenance and being used as a rat run."
The resident's comments highlight the deep-seated unease in the village about the potential scale of the development and its impact on the local road network, which many feel is already struggling to cope with existing traffic levels.
Next steps for the application
With the consultation now closed, David Wilson Homes will review the feedback received before finalising and submitting the outline planning application to Lichfield District Council. The council will then be responsible for determining the application, a process that is expected to take several months.
The final decision will hinge on a range of factors, including the benefits of the scheme, the local opposition, and the council's need to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. Given the pressing shortfall, planning policy currently places significant weight on the delivery of new homes, meaning the application could stand a strong chance of approval despite the concerns raised.
