Forest of Dean District Council’s ambitious development plan to build 13,200 homes, including two new towns in Gloucestershire, is now at risk of being withdrawn as council leaders rethink the strategy.
Since 2018, the council has been drafting a local plan to guide housing developments across the district. The most recent proposals surged from a target of 6,600 homes to over 13,000 after a government-imposed increase last year, sparking controversy.
The plan proposed two new settlements: one in Churcham near the A40 and another at Glynchbrook, close to the A417 near the Ledbury junction of the M50 in Redmarley. Following a public consultation earlier this year, the council had planned to finalize the blueprint by 2027 or 2028.
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However, council leader Adrian Birch has revealed that following feedback and evolving national policies, the council is considering withdrawing the current 2025-2045 plan. Instead, it may adopt the government’s new “gateway” planning process, which could delay the plan’s adoption until 2029.
Birch explained that this shift reflects challenges in meeting the government’s December 2026 deadline under the older “legacy” system. He stressed that pausing the current process and starting anew will ensure compliance with national planning policies and promote a robust, plan-led approach to development.
However, Birch warned that during the transition, the district may face continued speculative development due to the lack of an up-to-date local plan and insufficient five-year housing land supply.
Since 2018, the council has conducted six public consultations, highlighting both significant public interest and the authority’s commitment to inclusive planning. Yet, housing targets and national planning rules have frequently shifted, complicating progress.
Birch noted the existing plan lacked enough support within the council and that any major changes would require further consultations—something the current timeline does not accommodate.
“In effect, what we are doing is wiping the slate clean and starting again,” Birch said.
Councillor Johnathan Lane echoed the challenges, citing a lack of political consensus and the opportunity the gateway process provides to collectively reconsider the district’s housing needs.
The cabinet approved these recommendations on June 22, and a full council vote is scheduled for June 30.
Local campaign group United Against Glynchbrook welcomed the move to reconsider the plan, particularly opposing the proposed new town at Glynchbrook. They argued the site lacks sustainability, given its lack of transport links and potential harm to the Malvern Hills and local heritage.
The group emphasized the need for a new plan grounded in robust evidence, genuine sustainability, and meaningful public engagement to deliver homes in appropriate locations that truly serve local communities.