David Smith

Lichfield District Council hosts meeting attended by planning chiefs from across the region
 
This March 70 planning experts from across the West Midlands gathered in Lichfield to discuss government planning policy.

The meeting was a chance for the planners to look at national planning policy that focuses on how town centres should be developed in the future.

They used Lichfield City as a case study to see planning policy in practice, and to look at the impact of the recession and current trends in development.

Councillor Neil Roberts, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: “We were proud to host the meeting, and to get involved in discussions about how local authorities should deal with applications for economic development - such as shops and offices. It is important for planners to meet periodically to make sure we all agree how national planning policies should be interpreted and put into action. Lichfield City is a good case study because, despite the economic climate, we still have a thriving centre which continues to attract businesses and development.”

Hundreds of tourism organisations gathered to help promote local attractions and celebrate the launch of Lichfield District's What's On Guide
 
This March Lichfield District Council’s Visit Lichfield joined forces with Tamworth Borough Council to host the annual Tourism Swap Shop.

The two authorities invited tourism representatives from visitor attractions and businesses across Staffordshire to Drayton Manor Theme Park, so they could swap their promotional literature and network with industry insiders.

On the day, Visit Lichfield also launched Lichfield District’s new What's On guide, which features hundreds of events taking place across the district this spring and summer. The guide also celebrates the 60th anniversary of Drayton Manor Theme Park.
 
More than 100 people came on the day, which has been hailed a huge success by both councils.

It’s important to support our local tourism trade and this event is a great way for people in Staffordshire’s tourism industry to network and get ideas for how to promote their attractions across the county and further afield. It was also a fitting way to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Drayton Manor Theme Park.
 
Emily Robinson, Tourism Development Officer for Visit Lichfield, said: “What’s On is a handy guide to what’s going on locally. From Easter egg hunts at Erasmus Darwin House, to chef demonstrations at Arthur Price, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And, with more than 150 free events, there’s no excuse not to get out and about.

“We send the guide out across the region to encourage more and more people to visit our shops, businesses, restaurants and attractions. So, whether you are looking for something to do, or you’ve got friends and relatives visiting, make sure you know what’s going on by picking up your free copy of What’s On.”

What’s On is being distributed to local homes and is available from the Tourist Information Centre in the Lichfield Garrick.

This survey is totally misleading and I believe the findings are not a true reflection of visitors’ feelings once they have been to Lichfield. We welcome millions of visitors every year who enjoy our compact city which is crammed with history and attractions.

And it is not just the city which pulls in visitors. Lichfield District attracts a diverse range of visitors - from thrill seekers to Drayton Manor Theme Park, to people who have come for some quiet reflection at the National Memorial Arboretum.

We have a committed award-winning tourism team who work in partnership with our visitor attractions to promote the city and district. Tourism now represents 10% of the district’s economy, and visitor numbers are continuing to rise. This is borne out by our research, last year alone we attracted more than 3.5 million visitors to Lichfield and the district. We hear from countless people who tell us they have been charmed and delighted by their stay, and often come back for more.

The team is always keen to do more, and send out thousands of visitor guides to tourist information centres and tourist destinations all over the country and further afield. We also invite tourism providers to have taster tours of the city to see how wonderful Lichfield is, so they can promote it to their customers. We also work closely with coach operators, and have recently received a Coach Friendly City award from the Confederation of Passenger Transport. As one of only two cities to receive such an award, this shows just how hard we work to make the visitor experience as good as it can be.

I would challenge these findings, as I strongly believe that visitors leave with a fantastic impression of our beautiful heritage city, and often lament that their stay has not been longer to fit in all the wonderful activities and attractions Lichfield District has to offer.

The controversial issue of how much sand, gravel and crushed rock (aggregates) should be allocated to different parts of the Region was decided by the West Midlands Regional Assembly at its Board meeting today.

Based on the extensive evidence provided, the Assembly Board decided on an option based on new research which looks at factors such as the amount of material likely to be available, likely patterns of demand arising from new housing growth, environmental considerations, and past sales trends. This option was chosen over method based solely on previous trends.

The new approach also takes account of the responses the Regional Assembly received last year to a public consultation where a new method of allocation, which provided a sustainable supply of aggregates, was favoured by the majority of people.

The new approach will be particularly welcome for residents in Staffordshire, which is likely to see its allocation fall from 65% of all sand and gravel required in the Region to 55%.

“Whilst we understand that this decision wasn’t favoured by everyone, the Assembly Board believes that, based on the evidence provided, this is the most sustainable option. Considerable time and money has been spent on technical research and consulting with the public, the 14 councils responsible for mineral planning and the aggregates industry, which has enabled the Assembly to make a common sense decision based on evidence not politics.” said Olwen Dutton, Chief Executive of the Regional Assembly.

Government set the targets for the production of aggregates in the West Midlands, and asked for the Assembly to advise on how these should be allocated across the Region. Different parts of the West Midlands contain different types of minerals in different quantities, which means production cannot simply be shared out equally. After a long period of intensive research and consultation over the last nine months, three options were developed and considered by the Assembly Board today. The agreed option will now be submitted to government by 31st March.

Cllr David Smith, Chairman of the Assembly, added:

“As an organisation we have never been afraid to take difficult or unpopular decisions because they have been based on proper research and technical information.  We have always consulted widely with the public and not let ourselves be swayed by politics, and aggregates are no exception.  I have been proud to have been associated with the Assembly for the last 10 years and believe it has been played a significant role in shaping the regeneration of the West Midlands.”

…as fundraising tops £1 million mark, and hundreds flock to sell out hoard events in the district

To make sure everyone knows about the Staffordshire Hoard fundraising project, three huge banners are going up across the district. The first of the banners was put up on the Lichfield Garrick on Friday 5 March. The other banners are set to be displayed on St John’s House, in Lichfield, and on the railings outside Chase Terrace Technology College in Burntwood.

The banners all carry the message Save the Staffordshire Hoard for the West Midlands, and it is hoped they will encourage even more people to donate to the campaign to keep one of the world’s most stunning finds of Anglo-Saxon treasures close to home.

The banners were sponsored by Signature Outdoor Ltd . Managing Partner Steve George, said said: “We were thrilled to print the banners free of charge, and to contribute to such a fantastic cause. We’re hopeful that the banners will help to raise the rest of the much needed funds, which will see a Mercian Trail come to life.”

If we successfully raise the funds, we’re hoping to develop a Mercian Trail that will feature Lichfield Cathedral, Tamworth Castle, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, as well as a travelling exhibition.

We believe the trail will be a fantastic way to tell the fascinating stories of the hoard to as many people as possible. We’re confident, given the queues at Birmingham, London and Stoke, and the recent sell out hoard events in our own district, that developing the Mercian Trail will not only be a boost to the local community, but will boost tourism and local businesses.

Johann Popp, owner of St John’s House bed and breakfast in Lichfield, which is displaying one of the signs, commented: “As the owner of a bed and breakfast, I know how the Staffordshire Hoard and the Mercian Trail would boost the city’s already thriving tourist trade, and the benefits it would bring to local people and businesses, which is why we were delighted to display a banner on our building to help the fundraising efforts.”

This weekend (Friday 5 to Sunday 7 March), hundreds of local people flocked to see sell out Staffordshire Hoard events at Lichfield Cathedral and the Lichfield Garrick. At the Garrick, the audience heard from Ian Wykes, one of the county archaeologists who led the hoard dig team. At the cathedral, the crowd heard from Dr Gareth Williams, a curator at the British Museum.

All donations via the official campaign website www.artfund.org/hoard