7. Results from ‘drop-in’ space

The ‘drop-in’ space received 51 comments via post-it notes, 426 responses to visual preference surveys. 5 responses were submitted by email.

Visual preference survey results in the ‘drop-in’ space broadly followed themes reported during in-person engagement events:

• Traditional buildings were preferred to contemporary buildings. Erasmus Darwin house was the most popular, with 88 per cent of respondents liking it (26 responses). 5 Beacon Street received 87 per cent support from respondents (24 responses), and Samuel Johnson’s Birthplace received 85 per cent (26 responses).

• Recent development proved the least popular. New buildings in Lichfield were markedly less popular, with Ego Mediterranean Restaurant receiving 81 per cent disapproval (27 responses), and Scott Place receiving 70 per cent disapproval (26 responses).

• Historic red brick in Flemish bond was by far the most popular material for housing, with 38 per cent of all materials preferences, from a choice of 8 materials (53 responses).

• The least popular material was painted brick, with the most dislikes (11), and no likes. Glazed brick was also unpopular with 2 likes and 11 dislikes, as was cladding with 7 likes and 10 dislikes.

• Pedestrianisation was popular. The transport preferences survey revealed strong support for the Birmingham Road site to be pedestrianised with 96 per cent in favour of pedestrianising the site (24 responses).

• Cycling is seen as unsafe. A survey on barriers to cycling in Lichfield also found 44 per cent of responses cited safety of routes as the main barrier to cycling more (39 responses).