FOREST councillors have agreed ‘modifications’ to a planning blueprint that could see more houses on more sites across the district.
Agreement came despite cross-party efforts to delay consideration of additions to the Forest Council’s Allocations Plan which sets out where development will be allowed over the next 15 years or so.
Members were divided into those who wanted the plan agreed to enable the council to better defend the area against ‘inappropriate’ development and those who feel there has not been enough discussion of the new sites between district councillors, parish councils and the public.
The main Allocations Plan has been examined by a government and the modifications, which would add about 450 homes, and the modifications came as a result.
Cllr Bruce Hogan (Lab, Lydbrook and Ruardean), who chaired the meeting of the full council, said if the council failed to find additional housing al-
locations it would be “impossible to defend totally inappropriate housing development because we would have failed in our duty.”
When he asked if the council should take that ‘risk’, many of the 40 people in the public gallery shouted: “Yes!”.
Cllr Len Lawton (Con, Newent Central) said councillors had a gun held to their heads to force a decision.
He said: “We need an opportunity to represent our public – we should not be here tonight with a gun at our heads.
“We are being pushed into a corner and told if we don’t do it, something dreadful is going to happen.
“We’ve been in that position for six years but right now we are in a position where we can be in the driving seat.”
Cllr Richard Boyles (Con, Newnham and Westbury) said the plan “contains pain for us all” which would protect the district.
He added: “Delays to the plan, amendments to the plan, removing parcels of land will only weaken the proposals and reduce further our chance of protecting the area in which we live.”
Both Cllr Alan Preest (Con, Lydney North) and Cllr Clive Elsmore (Ind, Coleford East) were concerned that the amendments would undermine neighbourhood development plans (NDP) which are designed to give communities a bigger say in the planning process and faith in the democratic process.
The Lydney NDP was agreed by a referendum and Cllr Preest said it could not be altered without another public vote.
Cllr Richard Leppington (UKIP, Bream) said he would support the amendments “with a heavy heart”.
The modifications will now go back to the inspector to make recommendations about how they can be incorporated into the main plan and further consultation will be held.