Council to explore new local plan strategy
Following the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by government, Forest of Dean District Council will begin work to review the current agreed Local Plan strategy and explore alternative strategic options for the district, before going out to public consultation later in the year.
Chief Executive of Forest of Dean District Council, Nigel Brinn said:
“The current Local Plan strategy was agreed prior to the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) policies being brought in by the UK government.
“Having a local plan is a statutory requirement and following the latest NPPF update, the number of homes we need to provide over the next 20 years has almost doubled. This means that the current strategy is simply unable to deliver the homes required and as such, we must explore alternative options to deliver a local plan.
“Now that Councillors have agreed for the strategy to be reviewed, officers will look at alternative options for a new local plan strategy and will consider the responses that we received to the previous public consultation that took place in 2024.
“A further consultation will take place over the coming months to determine the best option to move forward and deliver a new local plan that works for the Forest of Dean.”
To meet the needs of the district over the plan period, the new local plan will look to ensure that its policies and proposals address climate change and protect the natural area of the Forest of Dean. It should also provide for a range of employment and educational opportunities and ensure the policies support and encourage a strong and sustainable local economy.
The local plan strategy must take into account the new housing targets set by government for the area, with 12,000 homes now needed across the Forest of Dean over the next 20 years. This is an increase of around 6000 homes when compared to the previously agreed local plan strategy.
Having agreed to review the strategy and explore alternative options for the local plan, the next stage will see officers present their findings to Full Council in the Summer, with a public consultation then taking place in August/September 2025. Full details of which will be provided on the Forest of Dean District Council website and social media.
Details for the previous local plan strategy can be found here: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/developing-our-new-local-plan/draft-local-plan-2041/
The agenda which was voted upon by Councillors at Full Council, detailing the new NPPF guidance and findings from the previous public consultation, can be found here: https://meetings.fdean.gov.uk/documents/s37084/PH.562%20LP%20Strategy%20Review%20FV.pdf
Contact Information
Forest of Dean Communications Team
Notes to editors
Forest of Dean District Council has published the Local Plan Evidence Base, containing a series of reports and studies which have helped to shape the planning policies for the district. Further information on this can be found via the Council’s website: