Frequently asked questions
Why did we carry out a call for sites?
The call for sites was an opportunity for landowners, developers, agents, and site promoters to submit sites, within or partially within Lichfield District, which are considered to have potential for development.
Sites received through the call for sites will be assessed through our housing and economic land availability assessments and ultimately help us understand what land is potentially available for development as we start work on our new local plan.
It is important that we know where land is potentially available for a range of uses so it can make decisions on which land is the right land to be allocated for development in the new local plan.
The call for sites is not a consultation, but rather an information gathering exercise.
Neither the call for sites nor the land availability assessments will determine whether a site should be given planning permission or allocated for development. However, together they will help to identify a pool of sites which have development potential for a range of land uses.
Who was able to submit a site?
Sites could be put forward by individuals or organisations, although typically they are promoted by landowners, developers, agents, local businesses, and groups.
As part of the evidence for the new local plan, we are required to assess whether sites can be delivered. It is therefore important that submissions make clear that the land is owned by or under the control of the person making the submission, or they genuinely have the means to acquire the land.
For what uses can a site be submitted?
Sites for a wide range of potential uses could be put forward including:
- New housing developments including new settlements/garden villages, strategic development areas/urban extensions, non-strategic sites.
- Sites for specialised housing developments including affordable housing, specialist housing for older people, self-build and custom housebuilding.
- Sites for pitches for travellers.
- Sites for economic development including employment land including for offices, industrial, distribution, retail and other commercial uses.
- Sites for leisure, recreation and community facilities.
We were particularly keen to encourage the submission of brownfield land and potential sites for traveller accomodation and for new employment land.
Are there any size thresholds or limits to sites which must be met?
All sites must be wholly or partially within Lichfield District. We are only interested in sites or broad locations for development which meet the following thresholds:
- Housing - capable of accommodating at least five new homes.
- Economic development (e.g. employment or retail) - minimum of 0.25 ha (or capable of accommodating 500 sqm of floorspace).
There is no maximum size of site, however, land parcels which adjoin, or overlap need not be submitted - please only submit the full extent of each site for assessment.
Sites can be greenfield or previously developed (brownfield) land.
What happens once a site is submitted?
Where site meets the thresholds described above it will be considered and assessed through our work on a new local plan.
Sites for housing or economic development will be assessed through our housing and employment land availability assessments as part of the evidence used to inform our new local plan.
Where a site is submitted during the current call for sites it will be included within the next updates to our land availability assessments.
How does this relate to the local plan?
The call for sites is a technical exercise which will provide us with information on potential sites for future development.
The information collected through the call for sites will inform the evidence base and the new local plan as it progresses.
It is important we understand what land may potentially be available for development in the future so that it can make decisions on how the district should grow through its new local plan.
Will my site be allocated or receive planning permission?
The submission of a site does not indicate that it will either be allocated within the local plan or that it would successfully obtain planning permission for development if a planning application were submitted.
The call for sites is in no way an indication that the council considers a site to be suitable for development.
Will there be future opportunities to submit sites?
We would encourage the submission of sites through this call for sites to establish early dialogue between ourselves and site promoters, however, there will be future opportunities to submit sites.
Who can I contact if I have further queries?
If you would like to discuss the call for sites process further, please email developmentplans@lichfielddc.gov.uk
What about data protection?
To see more about how we record and store your information please see our privacy notice.