Residents of the Forest of Dean have expressed relief following the withdrawal of a contentious development plan that proposed constructing a “massive new car-based” town—an idea many feared would irreversibly damage the Malvern Hills.
The Forest of Dean District Council has abandoned its draft local plan, which included building over 13,000 homes across the next two decades. Among the proposals were two new settlements: one near the A40 in Churcham and another at Glynchbrook, located off the A417 at the foothills of the Malvern Hills.
Local communities had voiced strong opposition, particularly to the planned 3,500-home town at Glynchbrook, pointing out that such development would “fundamentally alter” and spoil the scenic beauty of the Malvern Hills. Environmental assessments supported these concerns, highlighting the potential harm to the landscape.
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The council’s decision to withdraw the plan came amid insufficient political backing and a looming December deadline for submission. The United Against Glynchbrook group welcomed the move, thanking councillors across parties for acknowledging community concerns.
“Glynchbrook was never a sustainable development option,” their spokesperson stated. “The absence of a train station and the potential damage to the Malvern Hills and nearby heritage sites made it unsuitable. We remain committed to supporting the delivery of new housing but in locations that are genuinely sustainable and suitable.”
The Forest of Dean District Council had been crafting the plan since 2018, aiming to guide growth and construction in the region. This latest proposal responded to the Labour Government’s decision last year to nearly double the housing target—from 6,600 to 13,200 homes—which forced consideration of new settlements.
On Tuesday evening, councillors voted 22 to 6, with two abstentions, to withdraw the existing draft. Instead, they will develop a new local plan through the Government’s ‘Gateway’ process.
Green Party leaders in Coleford described the government-imposed housing increase as unrealistic, given the Forest’s limited space for sustainable development. A party spokesperson lamented, “The Forest of Dean Green Party is deeply disappointed by the collapse of the current draft plan. Without the government’s drastic 82% hike in housing targets, we would have had a local plan in place by now, preserving more local control and reducing community anxiety.”
Looking ahead, the council plans to begin drafting a new local plan later this year. Following public consultations, examinations, adjustments, and council approval, the finalized plan is expected to be adopted in 2029.