Opposition Call For Lichfield District Council to Share “Friarsgate” Plans With Public

The long-running saga of the plans for Friarsgate, impacting the whole of Lichfield City Centre, now needs full public disclosure and explanation, says the Principal Opposition Group at Lichfield District Council. 

Labour councillors are calling upon the leadership at the Council to share the overall plan for the now-renamed Birmingham Road Site and associated proposals such as the cinema plans for the former Debenhams store. 

Labour Opposition Leader at the Council, Cllr Sue Woodward, said:

“At present, we are getting only piecemeal information about what is being proposed, some confidential and some not, and it’s time now for all District councillors and, more importantly, the public we represent to be given a clear overview of how the various pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together. I have now written formally to the Council Leader and Chief Executive to ask that this happens as soon as possible for the sake of transparency and accountability.”

Cllr Dave Robertson, Deputy Opposition Leader and City Councillor said:

“We’ve all already waited far too long for this development to come forward. It’s almost 20 years since the Council first discussed this and the public deserve to see the plans for our City. After the bungled pedestrianisation of the Market Square this plan must include adequate car parking for people with disabilities. I have already put forward some suggestions for a more appropriate ‘meanwhile use’ which I hope will bear fruit.”

Cllr Colin Ball has been chairing a task group on proposals for the Birmingham Road Site and the wider city centre strategy for several years. He said:

“I’m certainly pleased to see things moving forward as a lot of time and effort has been put in behind the scenes on the best ways forward. I certainly want to see full disclosure now. This doesn’t mean a free pass for the LDC leadership. In fact, I have certain red lines that I have shared with them around infrastructure and appropriate housing but it’s time for the overall plans to be made public.”