Lichfield Gateway, Staffordshire

1.5 Acre  Exclusive City Centre Gateway Development

• In 2025, we exchanged contracts with Lichfield District Council (LDC) as the developer to deliver the ‘Gateway to Lichfield’ flagship development which is the first phase of LDC’s wider Birmingham Road masterplan for the City Centre. 
• Following adoption of the design code for the masterplan, a Development Brief has been created which parcelled the land into 3 different ‘zones’, with the first Zone being our site allocated for open-market residential. The remaining 2 zones endeavour to deliver a mixture of affordable and open-market homes, a medium sized hotel, retail and commercial development. 
• Our proposal offers an exclusive gated development of C.150 units, spread across two quads, both of which offer private open space in the centre and underground parking. 
• Although an early stage design scheme, the design incorporates local planning policy, design codes and NPPF design considerations. The proposal is designed with an overarching Georgian Architectural Character, utilising the favoured and prevalent character of Lichfield, highlighted during extensive community engagement and discussions with the LPA. 
• This will be further resolved with modern construction methods and detailing to meet today’s rigorous building standards. A Pre-App is being prepared with both Highways and the LPA, which is due to be submitted in November 2025 in preparation for a detailed planning application soon after.
• The 1.5 Acre site presently contains an area of cleared land which was formerly the Friarsgate car dealership and garage. The site sits at the junction of two major roads to Lichfield as well as being the first area seen when arriving into the city by train. 
• The crucial position of the site and the importance to retain and promote infrastructure requires the scheme be of high-quality design whilst balancing the requirement for additional parking.
• The proposals have the potential to enhance the conservation area, with the site having the importance as a ‘gateway’ to the City histrionically and today, both by car from the south and by train. 
• The redevelopment of the site offers several opportunities to enhance the setting of both the listed buildings on the Site, the Birmingham Road and St John Street Character Areas, as well as creating a new focal point within the city supported by architecture of merit.