What’s wrong with the Draft Local Plan?
Tick Box Exercise
In the previous round of consultation held in August/September 2025, the majority of respondents rejected Option 4 (building of new settlements). The Green led District Council ignored the will of the people and pressed ahead with their plans for two new single settlements at Redmarley and Churcham.
Heritage Impacts
Lowbands is widely recognised as the last Chartist Settlement left untouched by development permitted by the District Council. Now the Forest of Dean Administration seems desperate to destroy this one. Masterplanning will not help to mitigate the impacts of the rural character of this wonderful Chartist Settlement
Impact on the Environment
A settlement of 3500 homes just metres from the Malvern Hills National Landscape will have an intolerable impact on the flora and fauna including protected species.
Development on Greenfield land will necessitate the destruction of special habitats that will disperse already under pressure species.
Does the Green Party really care about the environment?
Infrastructure
A development of 3500 homes will require infrastructure that will irrevocably change the landscape around Redmarley and its surrounding parishes.
Previous attempts to build new settlements have shown the infrastructure is often not provided alongside the houses despite promises by developers and the Local Planning Authority
Flooding
The majority of the proposed site at Glynchbrook sits within the Strategic Flood Risk area. Furthermore, Glynch Brook floods on a number of occasions throughout the year.
Masterplanning will not alleviate flood risk, it will simply move the problems elsewhere.
Unfair Allocation
Data shows that, despite the Greens’ promises that major towns within the Forest would receive their fair share of housing, this simply hasn’t materialised.
Redmarley faces a staggering 880 pc increase in homes, that’s the highest in the Local Plan. In comparison, Cinderford faces an increase of 6 pc, Coleford 12 pc, and Lydney 22 pc.
This Local Plan proposal will unfairly affect those in the North of the District.