Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop has firmly opposed proposed plans to build two new towns totaling over 5,500 homes in Gloucestershire. The developments, aimed at meeting a substantial housing target of 13,200 homes, would see 3,500 houses constructed off the A417 in Glynchbrook, Redmarley, and 2,000 more near Churcham off the A40.
While Bishop acknowledges the pressing need for new housing in the area, he believes the current strategy led by Forest of Dean District Council risks overwhelming local services and infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and schools. The Labour MP argues the scale and concentration of development in these specific locations is inappropriate and could harm existing communities.
The local council, led by Green Party members, asserts that such ambitious housing targets were mandated by the national Labour Government after they increased the quota last year. Facing limited options, the District Council has had to respond under these constraints, appealing unsuccessfully to ministers.
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The new local plan, once approved, will shape the region’s development over the next two decades. Bishop initially remained neutral during public consultation to allow residents’ voices to be heard without interference. However, after engaging with locals, visiting proposed sites, and reviewing feedback, he has publicly voiced his opposition.
Bishop stresses that housing development must be driven by genuine need rather than fulfilling arbitrary quotas, calling for a more equitable distribution across the Forest of Dean. He advocates for a plan that prioritizes infrastructure investment and emphasizes social and affordable housing to support the community’s most vulnerable.
“The responsibility for delivering a local plan lies with the Forest of Dean District Council. It is essential that this plan reflects local needs and puts infrastructure and fairness at its core,” Bishop said. He pledged to continue working with the council and to raise concerns nationally regarding funding and delivery.
Adrian Birch, Forest of Dean District Council leader, echoed the challenges faced in managing housing targets set at the national level, warning that without an approved local plan, the council’s ability to manage development would be severely limited. This could invite speculative applications from developers, potentially threatening the rural and environmentally sensitive character of the area.
The public consultation on the draft plan closed on March 18. The plan is expected to move forward for examination by a planning inspector in the autumn, marking the next phase in determining the future of housing development in the Forest of Dean.