The Forest of Dean Local Plan: Help shape the future of the district
Following a Full Council meeting which took place Thursday 24 July 2025, Forest of Dean District Councillors have agreed to proceed with the next stage of its local plan, with a public consultation beginning on 31 July and running until 11 September 2025.
Leader of Forest of Dean District Council and Cabinet Member for Local Plan, Cllr Adrian Birch said:
“As a council, it’s hugely important that we have a local plan in place to help plan for homes, jobs and services that will be required over the next 20 years. However, it is essential that this local plan works for the Forest of Dean and its residents.
“I’m happy that my fellow councillors have now agreed for the public consultation to begin. This consultation puts forward options for the Local Plan and enables residents and businesses to give their feedback on how they believe it is best to proceed and which sustainable options they believe work best for the area.
“The consultation for the Local Plan options opens on 31 July and I’d encourage all residents to go online, find out more information about each option and submit your thoughts. By doing so, you can help shape the future of the Forest of Dean district.”
To meet the needs of the district over the plan period to 2043, the new plan will look to ensure that its policies and proposals address climate change and protect the natural area of the Forest of Dean, providing a range of facilities, employment and services. It will also ensure the policies support and encourage a strong and sustainable local economy and improve people’s wellbeing.
The local plan strategy must also consider the new housing targets set by government for the area, with over 13,000 homes now needed across the Forest of Dean to 2043, an increase of around 6000 homes. The new options put forward for consultation give residents the opportunity to provide their opinion on each of those options and advise which they believe is the best fit for the district.
Cllr Birch added:
“The increase in homes is a government requirement as part of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and we need to decide the most sustainable option that can deliver those homes, as well as protecting everything that we hold dear in the Forest of Dean.
“We’ll be running in-person events across the district for those who want to find out more about the consultation process or simply want to talk to in person. I look forward to seeing residents there and gathering feedback on the next steps for the Forest of Dean Local Plan.”
Five in-person events are currently planned in venues across the Forest of Dean. Any further in-person events will be advertised by the Council in due course.
Details for the current in-person events can be found below:
13 August 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm - Cinderford Miners Hall, Wesley Road, Cinderford GL14 2JN
14 August 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm - Lydney Community Centre, Naas Lane, Lydney GL15 5AT
19 August 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm - Newent Community Pavilion, Newent GL18 1QA
20 August 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm - Tidenham Memorial Hall, Coleford Road, Tutshill, Chepstow NP16 7BN
26 August 2025 - 3pm-6:30pm - Reception, Forest of Dean District Council, High Street, Coleford GL16 8HG
Residents can find out more about each of the options and have their say via the following link: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/localplan
Alternatively, residents can email [email protected] or write to the Forest of Dean District Council to provide their views at the address below. If writing, or emailing, please use the heading ‘Local Plan Consultation Response’.
Forest of Dean District Council FAO Local Plans Team
High Street,
Coleford,
GL16 8HG
The consultation is open from 31 July 2025 and runs until 11 September 2025.