Cameron submits plans for 430-home ‘Grey Belt’ scheme

Staffordshire house-builder Cameron Homes has lodged outline proposals for a £150m housing development in Chasetown.

The application to Lichfield District Council includes a 50-acre development of up to 430 homes and community facilities, located off Highfields Road, also set to include 185 affordable homes.

Cameron Homes says the site, which is sandwiched between Highfields Road and a slip-road for the M6 Toll motorway, forms so-called “Grey Belt” land – poor quality Green Belt land which it believes is suitable for development.

The developer says the scheme would help to address Lichfield’s housing land supply shortfall, measured at 3.5 years in April 2025, according to a council report.

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 £150m 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.”