Plans for a new 3,500-home town off the A417 in Gloucestershire have come under intense scrutiny after the UK’s gas network operator identified the site as sitting atop a “high-risk” zone due to a key high-pressure gas pipeline.
The National Gas Transmission (NGT) sent a warning letter to Forest of Dean District Council on April 8, highlighting that the proposed development near the Ledbury junction of the M50 falls within a high-risk area directly above NGT’s infrastructure. The letter clearly states that the Glynchbrook project “must not proceed without further assessment from asset protection” to ensure safety.
Maps accompanying the letter, obtained by Gloucestershire Live, reveal a high-pressure pipeline running through the center of the proposed Glynchbrook development in Redmarley, raising significant safety and logistical concerns.
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Local residents have voiced their worries, expressing frustration that the council did not disclose the gas risk zone during the public consultation process. Nurse Vicky Goodall, 52, from Redmarley, said, “I’m really worried about this gas pipeline and wish the council had been upfront about it earlier. One wrong move by excavators could cause a massive problem. The council needs to recognize the depth of concern among Forest of Dean residents regarding Glynchbrook. Between flood risks, lack of transport links, threats to the Malvern Hills, and now a high-pressure gas pipeline, this development poses numerous issues.”
Rob Whitestone, a 42-year-old motor industry worker, echoed these concerns, citing local MP Matt Bishop’s public opposition to the development based on insufficient infrastructure. “The damage this plan has done to trust in local government is unprecedented. Why weren’t residents informed that Glynchbrook lies within a high-risk gas pipeline zone? Our MP’s stance is clear—he supports new homes but not at the expense of our natural landscape and inadequate infrastructure. Hopefully, the council will heed his warning and reassess their plans,” Whitestone said.
John Heap, 74, from nearby Eldersfield, emphasized the financial implications of building near a high-pressure pipeline. “The costs of redesigning and implementing safety measures around the pipeline will be enormous. This realization makes the Glynchbrook project even less viable. Finding out the site sits atop such a pipeline feels like an added blow to an already problematic proposal,” Heap commented.
Forest of Dean District Council acknowledged receiving the NGT letter and confirmed that it would be considered alongside ongoing technical reviews. A spokesperson stated, “Councillors continue to evaluate all relevant evidence in conjunction with public feedback gathered during consultation. Any future development will be subject to meeting stringent national and local planning standards through thorough public examination.”