The proposal to build a 3,000-home town near the A417 in Gloucestershire has sparked significant concerns about increased traffic congestion and limited public transport options. Forest of Dean District Council is exploring one or two new towns to meet the Government-mandated target of approximately 12,000 new homes by 2045, with one potential site—Glynchbrook—located between the M50 motorway and the A417.
However, the council’s own sustainability report warns that Glynchbrook is poorly positioned for low-carbon access to essential services and is unlikely to meet development criteria. Living Streets, a charity advocating for accessible, clean, and green streets, urges the council to prioritize sites where residents can access amenities without relying heavily on cars.
Tanya Braun, Living Streets’ external affairs director, acknowledged the urgent need for new homes but emphasized that “streets deserve to be more than corridors for traffic.” She highlighted the negative impacts of designing neighborhoods around cars, including poorer public health and increased pollution and congestion. Braun stressed the importance of developing communities that support walking, cycling, and public transit, enabling residents to attend everyday activities like medical appointments and school runs without depending on vehicles.
Local residents have echoed these concerns, pointing out that Glynchbrook lacks a train station and a secondary school and is served by only one bus route. Many advocate for alternative locations such as Lydney, with an existing train station and underused secondary school, or Churcham, which benefits from railway connectivity.
The Forest of Dean Council’s sustainability assessment indicates Glynchbrook could lead to heavy car reliance. Retired NHS professional Rosemary Brierley from Lowbands questions building a new town where car dependency is inevitable, especially amid climate and environmental challenges. She argues that more sustainable options exist within the region, warning that Glynchbrook risks isolating residents in a “middle of nowhere” location.
Similarly, former teacher Alex Girling warns the proposed development could become a place only accessible to those who can afford the costs associated with car ownership—including road tax and insurance—a significant barrier for many house seekers.
These warnings align with the Government’s recently updated National Planning Policy Framework, which encourages moving away from car-dominated environments in new developments.
The Glynchbrook site is over five and a half miles from the nearest GP and employment hubs such as Ledbury, necessitating regular car use. Although Ledbury has a railway station linked to Hereford, Worcester, Birmingham, and London, there is no direct service to nearby centers like Gloucester or Cheltenham. The area has also experienced a rapid increase in new housing developments and is earmarked for further growth.
In December 2024, the government raised the Forest of Dean’s housing target from 330 to 600 new dwellings annually. Glynchbrook ranks among ten possible sites evaluated by the council, with eight deemed unlikely to satisfy development criteria. Residents recently criticized the council for considering Glynchbrook despite the site containing multiple flood zones, which raises further environmental concerns.
The council plans to extend current settlements and establish new ones to meet housing demands. A final decision on pursuing these development plans will be made by the cabinet and council in January 2026.
A council spokesperson confirmed that work on the Local Plan is progressing to meet the increased housing targets and that no final decisions on specific sites have been made. They acknowledged resident concerns about flood risk, transportation, and sustainability, all of which will be key factors in site assessments in alignment with national planning policies. Should any sites proceed, they will undergo further technical analysis and public consultation. The council pledged to collaborate with developers and agencies to ensure any development meets planning standards, including flood mitigation and sustainable transport requirements.