Lichfield District 2050 strategy

We will create the greenest district in the country

There is no denying, we need nature, and in Lichfield District we are fortunate to have access to significant green space. Healthy green spaces can clean our air, water, soil, and future-proof farming. Restoring nature is vital for our future and economy, whilst providing invaluable spaces for wildlife to thrive and people to enjoy. 96% of respondents to the ‘Together We…’ consultation said the environment was important to them. For children and young people in our district, this is a real priority. Climate change is the most critical challenge we face. We recognise a need to radically re-think how the district works and lives to become carbon neutral by 2050. We will lead by example as a District Council, transforming our own operations. We will influence and encourage our partners, businesses, and residents to do their part, and work alongside them to reduce and reverse the implications of climate change we already experience. This will include working in partnership to create greener homes across the district, supporting sustainable development and encouraging new and emerging green industries.

Green communities are committed to the whole of the environment not just climate change; they have strong wildlife recovery, vibrant biodiversity, development that protects and enhances nature, and networks of sustainable travel routes connecting communities. We will work to incorporate consideration for the climate and environment across all our operations and agree priorities for nature recovery locally where we will map and outline projects to create and improve habitat for nature and wider environmental goals.

We will work with residents and businesses to reduce the amount of waste produced by the district, whilst increasing the amount that is reused or recycled. 77% of respondents to the ‘Together We…’ consultation felt recycling and waste disposal was an environmental issue of most concern. We will change and adapt how we collect and dispose of our waste, seeking opportunities to make our operations carbon neutral, and innovative approaches to generate energy from our waste.

By 2050 we will be a district where:

• Carbon neutrality is achieved district-wide, reducing the impact and implications of climate change on the district
• Housing across the district, both new and old, supports our ambitions to be the greenest district in the country
• Nationally, we are renowned for enhancing and protecting our natural environment
• Lowland heathland and associated habitats connecting Cannock Chase to Sutton Park are restored
• Two new nature reserves, a series of pocket parks and wildlife ponds have been introduced
• Living green spaces on roofs, walls and bus stops have been introduced and increased
• The tree canopy across the district has been extended and more street trees are introduced to our urban areas
• River restoration has been explored and introduced, connecting rivers and waterbodies back to floodplains
• Species with local provenance have been reintroduced i.e., white-clawed crayfish, water voles, other scarce species.

Key milestones - by 2028 we will:

• Identify and agree the location of two sites suitable to develop new nature reserves
• Introduce a green corridor between Burntwood and Lichfield contributing towards both sustainable and active travel
• Have a robust district-wide Carbon Reduction Plan in place and being delivered with our partners
• Increase the rate of recycling in the district to more than 65%, whilst reducing our overall waste
• Introduce a food waste service and have in place plans to generate more energy from our waste
• Create a live digital dashboard on our environmental performance, so that we can encourage all to do their bit to tackle climate change
• Articulate our strong commitment to sustainable housing and development, environmental protection, and enhancement through our new Local Plan
• Introduce a number of green streets, which include additional street trees, bee bricks and bird boxes
• Have electric charging points available on key off-street car parks

Key milestones - by 2038 we will:

• Deliver the first new nature reserve in the district
• Have reduced or mitigated the council's carbon emissions to a net zero position by 2035
• Have supported the re-introduction of Lichfield Canal
• Enable more green corridors for commuting and travel.