New town along A417 'must be ruled out' say hundreds of neighbours

Summary

Hundreds of people have signed an open letter calling for a controversial 3,500-home town on the A417 to be “ruled out” of a council’s new blueprint for housing. Forest of Dean residents have signed an open letter calling on councillors to rule out the controversial new town which was previously put forward at Glynchbrook, near junction 2 of the M50.

Details

The Forest of Dean District Council decided on June 30 to withdraw its draft local plan and work on a new blueprint, which will set out where more than 13,000 homes will be built over the next 20 years. Residents in the Redmarley area warn the Glynchbrook site remains “unsustainable”.

And a gathering in the village this week, attended by Forest MP Matt Bishop, has sent a clear message that the community would stand against the proposed development’s return.

Vicky Goodall, 52, a nurse from Redmarley, said: “Our open letter offers the council a workable solution that delivers on the housing targets, and ensures development is sustainable.” Members of United Against Glynchbrook (UAG) assembled in Redmarley Village Hall on August 4, on the edge of the site that would host the proposed 3,500 home new town, wedged against the Malvern Hills National Landscape and the historic villages of Redmarley and Lowbands.

In a Facebook post following the event, Matt Bishop MP said: “I have made it clear that I do not support this large settlement … it is so important that residents take part … to ensure the local plan reflects local need.” Mike Holtom, 66, a retired supply chain planning manager, added: “Glynchbrook is not the right place to build homes – everyone, including the council, has accepted that.

However, we know that new homes need to be built in order to meet the district’s housing target. “We hope the council considers our proposals – which are evidenced using the assessments of experts in their field.

“By expanding Lydney and Tutshill further, our reports show that both of those areas can be made even better places to live and the council will not need to build new towns.” At the meeting, Vicky Goodall said: “We want new homes to be built, but they need to be built in places that deliver for people that move there.

“New homes need to be built near stations, schools and shops – our plan sets out how those homes can be delivered. We hope councillors engage with it.” While residents have welcomed the local plan being pulled, UAG is concerned that the council may attempt to push Glynchbrook through again in the revised version.

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Report source: Gloucestershire Live