Cameron Homes has revealed plans for a £150 million grey belt scheme to revitalise a former mining village where its head office is based.
The Chasetown-headquartered firm has submitted an outline planning application to Lichfield District Council for a 20-hectare development of up to 430 homes and community facilities in the village, which is in the town of Burntwood.
Located off Highfields Road, the site is currently inaccessible to the public and considered ‘grey belt’ under the Government’s new national planning policy.
Cameron Homes says the scheme would make a significant contribution to the district’s housing need. It proposes using 12.6 hectares for energy-efficient new homes and says 185 of the 430 plots are designated for affordable housing, which is 15 per cent above the district council’s current policy requirement.
The company has been based in Chasetown for over 30 years and is part of the Tara Group which, along with the Noel Sweeney Foundation, has said it is ‘hugely invested in this community and the wider Burntwood parish.’ Over the past four years, the group has donated £330,000 to community projects in the immediate area, with a focus on tackling homelessness and young people most in need of support.
Kate Tait, group strategic land and planning director for Cameron Homes, said: “This grey belt site is currently inaccessible, unutilised land in a highly sustainable location, where bus routes, schooling and high street amenities are within easy walking distance.
“Chasetown has a long history as a mining village, but with the last mine here closing down in 1959, this large site presents a compelling opportunity to deliver energy-efficient aspirational homes, while also providing new amenity space, Highways improvements and extensive green infrastructure. Our £150 million plans would create hundreds of construction jobs, revitalise the area and deliver benefits for the whole community.
“Lichfield District Council has a significant Housing Land Supply shortfall, with Burntwood needing to accommodate 1,350 new dwellings by 2029. Strategic proposals like this are required to meet the local demand for new housing. We will continue to work alongside officers, councillors and consultees while this planning application is considered.”
The plans also detail new on-site public open space, children’s play areas, significant wildlife habitats and further biodiversity enhancements.
Masterplanning and planning consultancy services have been undertaken by Pegasus.
