Strategic Planning – a Lichfield District Perspective Craig Jordan – Head of Economic Growth, Lichfield District Council Content
u Lichfield District u Challenges/Issues u Strategic planning & relationships u Where are we – nationally and locally u The Future? Lichfield District
u Located in south-eastern Staffordshire u Semi-urban, semi-rural area abutting the WM conurbation u Two principal urban areas – Lichfield City and Burntwood u 50% Green belt u Population c105,000 u A38, A5, M6 Toll, West Coast Main line, Cross City Line, Trent-Mersey Canal u Employment – logistics, manufacturing, professional services, agriculture, tourism u National Memorial Arboretum, Drayton Manor Park, Lichfield Cathedral, Chasewater Country Park u 22 Conservation areas, 800 listed buildings
Lichfield District
u Popular place for people to live, play and work u Ageing population u Attractive mix of built and natural environments – Cannock Chase AONB/SAC, River Mease SAC u Relatively affluent but pockets of less well off people and areas which have poorer access to services and facilities + quality environment u Significant out commuting and residents travelling to meet needs u Visitor destination u Older people’s housing, inner urban area development u Larger scale housing development – edge of Lichfield Challenges/Issues
u Managing growth u Supporting the local economy u Providing for services and facilities eg. younger people, resident populations u Protecting character of area u Transport and movement u High Speed 2 u Retail/commercial investment and high streets u Digital communications – urban AND rural balance Strategic Planning & Relationships
u Staffordshire county – number of centres u Abut Birmingham and the Black Country u Functional economic links to the south, less so the north u Part of a large Birmingham-focused housing market area – housing demands u Located close to or on strategic transport network – accessible markets and services/facilities u Governance – 2 LEP’s, the WM Combined Authority, Staffs CC, Midlands Engine u Not an island …..
Where are we?
u Housing challenge – GBBC HMA and ‘Birmingham shortfall’ - Local Plan Review – new single housing methodology - developer/landowner interest - demand pressures u Economic challenge – investment into the district - competition from other centres/locations - commuter belt - ageing population and disposable income - relationship with LEP/CA areas/Staffordshire Where are we?
u Housing – local needs/requirements v broader HMA considerations u Economic growth and investment – employment, centres u Critical times – Local Plan Reviews, NPPF 2, Birmingham v shire districts u Local Industrial Strategies – shared prosperity fund u Political dimension – national policy v local needs and wants u Local government services/facilities and funding u Appetite for working collaboratively/joint planning u Growth and what does this look like…….. The Future
u HMA issues – to resolve u Collective approach or by default? u Joint plans – joint working, infrastructure provision u No WM appetite for strategic plan making eg. GBSLEP experience, CA? u What benefits accrue (or rather without what is lost?) u What will motivate authorities and elected members to support more formal arrangements?