A heated protest erupted during last night’s Forest of Dean District Council meeting as a critical debate concerning the future development blueprint of the area was abruptly cut short. The council is currently revising its local plan to accommodate a sharply increased housing target set by the Government, requiring 13,200 new homes by 2043—up from the previous target of 7,200.
This steep 82% uplift means the council must now identify land for approximately 600 new homes annually, nearly double the previous rate of 330. After extensive discussions and votes on two amendments during the meeting, Councillor Chris McFarling proposed swiftly moving to a vote on whether to proceed with public consultation.
This decision allowed only one councillor to speak on the main motion, and just for five minutes, triggering accusations of “shutting down democracy” from several councillors. Chairwoman Di Martin explained that the debate was narrowly focused on whether or not to conduct the consultation, not the detailed content of the plan itself.
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Former council leader Tim Gwilliam and Independent group leader Philip Burford voiced frustration, arguing that the curtailed discussion silenced elected members eager to contribute, calling it a repeat of past instances where robust debate was stifled. Councillor Julia Gooch questioned whether there had been sufficient debate at all, highlighting that other members were waiting to speak.
Chairwoman Martin maintained that multiple debates would follow, emphasizing that this was merely the initial step to launch public consultation. Councillor Bernie O’Neill contested that five minutes was insufficient time to properly debate such an important motion. Despite the dissent, the procedural motion to move forward was carried.
Council leader Adrian Birch was granted a right of reply, which prompted further protests about the lack of prior debate. Birch assured that this stage was just the beginning of a lengthy consultation process, promising numerous future opportunities for detailed discussion and refinement of the local plan.
The public consultation will officially open on July 31 and run until September 11, 2025, inviting residents to engage in shaping the future development of the Forest of Dean.