Overview
Burntwood is the second largest settlement in Lichfield District, with a population of approximately 26,000, and continues to grow as a popular place to live within the West Midlands.
Located between Lichfield and Cannock, and close to Chasewater Country Park, Burntwood offers a strong combination of connectivity, access to countryside and a well-established residential community.
Lichfield District Council has identified Burntwood town centre as a priority for regeneration, with a significant opportunity to create a vibrant, modern and well-connected heart for the town.
The opportunity
The opportunity focuses on Burntwood Shopping Centre and the surrounding town centre area at Sankey’s Corner. The site comprises six freehold titles forming a clearly defined block bounded by Cannock Road, Rugeley Road and Water Street. It includes retail units, community uses, residential elements, servicing areas and car parking. In total, the site extends to approximately 53,800 sq ft, representing a substantial and deliverable town centre redevelopment opportunity. We are seeking development and investment partners to bring forward a comprehensive regeneration scheme.
A town ready for its centre
Burntwood is already a place where people choose to live. It has a strong and growing residential base, a well-established community, and access to a wide range of local amenities and green space.
Residents benefit from proximity to countryside, including Chasewater Country Park and surrounding walking routes, as well as a network of popular pubs, local facilities and community spaces.
However, despite this, Burntwood does not currently have a strong, defined town centre that reflects the scale, character or needs of its population.
This creates a significant opportunity to establish a new focal point for the town, bringing together retail, leisure, community and residential uses in a single, cohesive location.
The site provides scope for a medium-scale, mixed-use redevelopment, with the potential to deliver:
• New homes, including family and rental accommodation
• Leisure and food and beverage uses
• Flexible commercial space
• Community and civic uses
This is an opportunity to move beyond a traditional retail-led model and create a diverse, modern town centre that supports both day-to-day needs and longer-term growth.
Why Burntwood
Burntwood’s strength lies in its established and growing residential community.
The town continues to attract new residents, supported by:
• Ongoing housing growth across the wider area
• Good access to employment centres in Lichfield, Cannock and the wider West Midlands
• A high-quality living environment, with access to green space and outdoor recreation
At the same time, the existing town centre has not kept pace with changing retail, leisure and lifestyle trends. The current shopping centre, developed in the 1970s, is largely convenience-led and lacks the range, quality and environment expected of a modern centre.
A strong retail and place opportunity
Burntwood’s town centre occupies a prominent and accessible location, serving a substantial local catchment.
With the right investment, there is an opportunity to:
• Reinforce its role as a local retail and service hub
• Introduce a stronger leisure and food offer
• Increase footfall and dwell time
• Create a more attractive and active environment
This is not simply a redevelopment project, but a chance to create a new destination and identity for the town.
Burntwood is at a point where regeneration can unlock long-term value:
A growing population and increasing housing demand
Changing retail patterns creating opportunities for mixed-use development
A clear need for a modern, high-quality town centre offer
The council is actively progressing work to bring the site forward and is committed to enabling delivery.
Delivery approach
The council is taking a proactive role in enabling regeneration and is currently:
• Exploring delivery options, including land assembly and intervention where required
• Undertaking legal and valuation work
• Engaging with the market to shape future development
The site is in multiple ownerships, and the council is working to bring forward a coordinated approach to unlock development.
We are seeking to engage with developers, investors and partners at an early stage to bring forward a deliverable, market-led scheme.
Location and connectivity
Burntwood benefits from strong road connections, including the A38 and M6 Toll, providing access to the wider West Midlands.
The town centre sits at a key junction within the settlement, offering the opportunity to strengthen connections between residential neighbourhoods, local services and leisure facilities.