Planning for the future of Lichfield District
We are preparing a new Local Plan to guide how Lichfield District will grow and change over the coming years.
This page explains what a Local Plan is, why it matters, and what happens next as work progresses on the new plan.
What is a Local Plan?
A Local Plan sets out the long-term framework for development across the district.
It identifies how future housing, employment, infrastructure and supporting services should be planned and delivered, including areas such as:
- Homes
- Jobs and business growth
- Transport and roads
- Schools and healthcare
- Green spaces and environmental protection
All councils are required by Government to have an up-to-date Local Plan in place.
Why does it matter?
The Government sets housing requirements for local authorities across the country. This means councils must plan for future growth and development in their areas.
The Local Plan helps make sure that growth is planned properly, supported by infrastructure, and delivered in a coordinated way that reflects the needs of local communities.
Without an up-to-date Local Plan, it becomes more difficult to manage development and shape where growth happens.
What is changing?
Lichfield District Council is moving to the Government’s new Local Plan preparation process.
This follows changes to national planning policy and an increase in housing requirements for the district.
As work on the emerging Local Plan progressed, it became clear that additional evidence and assessment work would be needed to support future decisions — particularly in areas such as infrastructure, transport, environmental impact and deliverability.
The new process provides the opportunity to strengthen this evidence base and prepare a more robust Local Plan that can successfully progress through examination.
This approach is intended to help ensure the council can continue to plan positively for the future of the district while maintaining local oversight of how growth is delivered.
What does this mean for the previous Local Plan 2043 work?
The council previously carried out an “Issues and Options” consultation in late 2024 as part of work on a Local Plan covering the period to 2043.
That consultation formed part of the earlier plan-making process and does not form part of the Government’s new Local Plan system.
However, the feedback and evidence gathered will continue to help inform future work where relevant.
Further consultation will take place as the new Local Plan progresses.
What does this mean right now?
Planning decisions will continue as normal.
Applications will continue to be assessed against the existing development plan and national planning policy, with appropriate weight given to relevant policies depending on their status.
This work is about strengthening the evidence and preparing a robust Local Plan for the future.
What happens next?
We are continuing to gather and assess evidence to support the preparation of the new Local Plan.
Future stages will include the development and assessment of options for how growth could be accommodated across the district, alongside further public consultation.
We will continue to update this page as work progresses.
Have your say
Residents, businessses and stakeholders will have opportunities to help shape the Local Plan as it develops.
Details of future consultation activity will be published on this page.