Council revises local plan approach and agrees move to new Government ‘gateway’ system
Forest of Dean District Council has voted to revise its current Local Plan making approach and begin preparing a new plan using the Government’s new ‘gateway’ process, as a result of national government timetabling constraints, significant resident feedback and the need to update and progress the supporting technical evidence base.
The decision follows extensive engagement with councillors and residents, including more than 3,600 responses to the public consultation held between January and March 2026. Feedback highlighted strong concerns about the options required to meet Government housing targets and proposed site suitability for the Forest of Dean.
Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, Cllr Adrian Birch, said:
“As a council, our first priority is to ensure that we listen to and deliver for our residents.
“Having spoken to many residents at our in-person events earlier this year, and having carefully reviewed the consultation feedback, it is clear that the options needed to meet Government housing targets could not be achieved without more work to be right for our area.
“At the same time, the strict timelines for producing a Local Plan in the current system mean it would not be realistic to continue with the current approach and revisit these options in the time available.
“As a result, the council has taken the decision to move to the Government’s new ‘gateway’ plan making process.”
The Government’s ‘gateway’ approach for Local Plans is a streamlined, digital-first system designed to accelerate plan-making, with a fixed 30-month timetable following gateway 1 to adoption. Moving to this process allows the Council to restart plan-making within a clearer national framework that prioritises speed, certainty and deliverability.
Continuing with the existing plan could risk Government intervention or produce an unsound plan, which could weaken the Council’s ability to shape development in the district. Without an up-to-date Local Plan, the area becomes more vulnerable to speculative development and planning decisions made on appeal.
Progressing under the ‘gateway’ process ensures the Council can continue plan-making at pace and reach key milestones before governance arrangements change as part of Local Government reorganisation that is anticipated in 2028.
Cllr Adrian Birch added:
“This is a pragmatic decision that allows us to move forward within the national framework, while continuing to work towards a Local Plan that reflects the needs and priorities of the Forest of Dean.
“The ‘gateway’ process gives us a clear and structured route to a new Local Plan, and we hope this decision will provide greater certainty for our communities, developers, and infrastructure providers.
“We will now begin work under the new system and will continue to keep residents informed as the plan progresses.”
Further information on the Forest of Dean Local Plan and previous consultation responses can be found at: https://fdean.gov.uk/localplan