A proposed new town of 3,500 homes in the Forest of Dean, dubbed Glynchbrook, has sparked fierce opposition from conservationists and residents alike. Set to be built between the M50 and A417 near the Malvern Hills, the development could overwhelm the region with a “dome of orange haze” visible for miles after dark, according to light pollution specialist Ben Gamble.
The Forest of Dean District Council is under government directive to identify land for 13,200 new homes over 20 years, with Glynchbrook among the shortlisted sites. Yet, public backlash has been strong, especially given concerns about the site’s susceptibility to flooding and potential “landscape harm,” according to the council’s assessments. Moreover, the location is criticized for poor low-carbon transit access, raising sustainability questions.
Ben Gamble, host of the Astro Ben podcast and a recognized expert on light pollution, warns that the new town would severely impact the “priceless” dark-sky environment at Castlemorton Common, located just 2.9 miles away. “Even with modern LED lighting, the sheer volume of illumination from homes, shops, streets, and vehicles would create an overwhelming skyglow,” Gamble explained. “This would effectively erase one of the Midlands’ last great stargazing spots.”
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The Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s (AONB) own lighting guidelines reinforce Gamble’s concerns, noting that once dark skies are lost, restoration is nearly impossible. Light pollution compromises nocturnal wildlife such as bats, moths, owls, and hedgehogs, disrupting their natural hunting, navigation, and breeding patterns.
Under the Environment Act and national planning guidance, light pollution is officially recognized as a pollutant and must be factored into planning decisions alongside air, noise, and water pollution. Gamble emphasizes, “Ignoring light pollution is not only environmentally shortsighted but also legally and morally indefensible when better alternatives exist.”
Local voices share the alarm. Linden Partridge, a lifelong Malvern Hills resident of Redmarley, called the development “an act of vandalism on the environment,” stressing the area’s status as a “natural sanctuary.” She urged planners to consider greener, less damaging locations for new housing.
Similarly, retired teacher Alex Girling from Lowbands lamented the potential loss of the hills’ rural charm and night sky beauty. “Building a town so close will strip the Malvern Hills of their unique appeal. It will become just another hill next to an anonymous urban sprawl,” he said.
Councillors will now review public feedback on the local plan, including the Glynchbrook proposal, before making a final decision on its future.