Michael Fabricant has made contact today with the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Transport & The Regions, John Prescott, to ask that the major regeneration scheme planned for Burntwood not be called in for investigation by Government inspectors which would delay the project considerably.

"Lichfield District Council together with the County have exciting plans for the regeneration of Burntwood", says Michael Fabricant. "It will provide the town with a real centre for the very first time together with decent shops, a town centre bypass, and other measures to enhance community projects and public transport. It will stimulate employment in the area and will make good use of brownfield sites for housing and retail developments instead of building over Staffordshire’s green fields which seems to be the Government’s present obsession.

"I have asked John not to use his powers as Secretary of State to investigate this scheme which will only delay matters, but to leave the planning to Lichfield District and the County Council. I have also suggested that Cllr David Smith (Leader of Lichfield District Council) and Cllr Terry Dix (Leader of Staffordshire County Council) should meet with either John or one of his Ministers to outline these exciting plans and to reassure them.

"Burntwood deserves better. The Council is now building an dramatic new leisure facility in the town. This new plan for the town centre will at last put Burntwood on the map".