Latest news with #ForestofDeanDistrictCouncil
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Exhibition shines light on River Wye pollution
A group of artists are raising awareness of the "catastrophic problem" of pollution in the River Wye with an exhibition. Campaigners from the Save the Wye group have created a display of 16 glass panels which trace the journey of the river and the build-up of pollution as it flows towards the sea. It is on display at the Forest of Dean District Council offices in Coleford, Gloucestershire until 30 June. "The new exhibition looks incredible and really helps to spread the message about the deterioration of our waterways in the Forest of Dean," said the council's river water quality champion Andrew McDermid. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire "After the council unanimously supported the Rivers and Oceans Motion last year, it's essential to keep this conversation alive and push for real change," he added. McDermid said tackling pollution would require cooperation from the community, local groups and government. "This is a problem of such scale it cannot be tackled alone," he said. "We want everyone to be able to enjoy our rivers long into the future, and working together we can make that a reality." The council's Water Improvement Group said it was working to identify pollution sources, monitor water quality and involve local people in caring for the district's waterways. The exhibition comes after a £1m fund to investigate the sources of pollution in the River Wye was announced by the Welsh and UK governments. Artist and Save the Wye member Mollie Meager said exhibiting at the council offices was a great opportunity to highlight the campaign. "We hope that all residents and visitors will take the opportunity to explore the artwork further and to put their voice behind the campaign," she said. "The river should be something that is enjoyed by all. "Together we can make the change." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Governments to investigate River Wye pollution Government wins court case over River Wye pollution New law proposed over River Wye pollution Forest of Dean District Council
South Wales Argus
24-04-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
New homes target sparked renewed causes for Chepstow bypass
Campaigners for a Chepstow bypass say the revision of the blueprint for development in the Forest of Dean is an ideal chance to ensure the adequate transport infrastructure is included to avoid 'storing up problems for the future'. Conservative councillor Nick Evans, who represents the Tidenham ward at the Forest of Dean District Council is calling on civic chiefs to listen to the 'overwhelming' response of residents in his area to a housing plan consultation, and back his campaign for a new bypass. Cllr Evans, who has been beating the drum for a new Chepstow bypass since 2018, said that the message from residents in Sedbury, Tutshill and Beachley about the Local Plan was clear, and that as the plan needed re-writing following changes brought in by the Labour Government, this is an ideal chance to update the plan so it doesn't 'store up problems for the future'. Fifty-nine objections and a further fifty-one observations to development in the most Southern ward of the District were raised by residents, with a great deal of these comments focusing on traffic congestion and the lack of services in the area. 'There was an overwhelming response to this latest consultation, as there has been to all the others about this local plan and its proposal to build a new village at Beachley,' he said. 'The message from local people is clear that with our roads and services as they currently stand, our area cannot cope with the developments that are proposed. 'Maps, statistics and reports don't provide the lived experience, that's why consultation is so important. People who live and work in this area are the ones who really know what it's like to have to deal with these ongoing problems on a daily basis and now is the time to listen to them. 'Unfortunately, the draft response that people will just be encouraged not to use their cars, and will need to work from home more is condescending and just doesn't match with the reality of people's lives. 'The working from home revolution over the last few years has made a change to traffic around Chepstow, just a bad one. 'It's now completely impossible to predict when there will be traffic congestion, and when an accident occurs, the whole area still becomes gridlocked. 'Without a Forest Gateway road to support this development, the lives of all these new residents, and those that are there already, will simply be made a misery.' The district had initially planned to focus the new housing to be built in Lydney, Beachley and Newent. The draft local plan anticipates building a new 1,300 homes in the Severnside town and 600 homes at Beachley Barracks. But new rules set out by the Labour Government within weeks of the 2024 General Election means the District Council now needs to find space for an additional 5400 houses in the Forest. And with the previous plan being unable to deliver this development, planners have to explore other ways to meet the new target, Cllr Evans says. 'With the Government sending the District's plan back to the drawing board, there is an ideal opportunity to finally recognise that this development simply cannot go ahead without a new road being built to support it,' he said. 'A great deal of preparation has already been done, and rather than tell people that they cannot use their cars, there is a real chance here to deliver a plan that will actually work, rather than storing up problems for future generations.' District Council unanimously agreed at their meeting on April 17 to review the current agreed Local Plan Strategy and explore alternative strategic options for Local Plan preparation, which will be considered by councillors at a later date.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work on Five Acres leisure centre at Coleford to finally start
Construction can begin on a leisure centre after revised regeneration plans were approved by leisure, community and commercial facilities will now be developed at the former Gloucestershire College site at Five Acres, near Coleford, as part of the Levelling Up the Forest programme.A "large and modern" gym, full-sized 3G pitch, changing rooms, and soft play areas have been included following the review said Sid Phelps, cabinet member for property and projects at Forest of Dean District Council (FODDC), backed the reviewed plans unanimously following delays due to rising inflation, with construction hoped to begin this summer. In February 2024 FODDC secured planning permission to develop the first phase of facilities at the site. 'Hugely important' Mr Phelps said the council wanted "the best possible facilities" for residents, but also wanted to ensure the "hugely important" project was "financially sustainable"."Having received the unanimous backing of councillors, I am excited to say that we can now move on to the next stage of the Five Acres redevelopment and begin construction of this fantastic project," he help reduce refurbishment costs and respond to the climate emergency, FODDC successfully applied for £200,000 from the Government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The money will support the installation of a new air source heat pump system, radiators and roofing part of phase one of the project, the Speedwell Building will be turned into new office and community spaces and a cafe and outreach space for Hartpury's University's Aspiration two of the project will focus on the 3G artificial pitch and floodlights, for which FODDC is awaiting Football Foundation funding approval.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council criticised for spending £50k on ecologist
The former leader of a council has criticised the authority's decision to spend £50,000 on hiring an ecologist "responsible for the ocean". Forest of Dean District Council plans to recruit an "oceans officer", with the Green leadership saying the post will help protect the "precious" environment in the Severn and Wye rivers. But former council leader, Tim Gwilliam, who represents the Progressive Independent party, has criticised the decision to spend money on something he does not believe to be the council's responsibility. Current leader, Adrian Birch, said the plans had been progressed correctly with "clear support" from the council. The council approved its budget in February, which included an agreement to allocate £50,000 for an ecologist to help deliver the council's rivers and oceans motion, to tackle pollution. "I'm sure Foresters in their ocean-fronted homes in Bream and Bicknor will be well pleased," said Gwilliam. "I noted with some irony that the cabinet member said when asked about possibly funding libraries or road improvements that were not Forest of Dean District Council responsibility at the very same time he and his cabinet were committing to spend tens of thousands of pounds on an oceans officer," he added. The Severn is identified as the worst river in England for sewage pollution, jeopardising ecological, economic, and recreational activity and human health, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Green councillors said the rivers are being polluted by farm and sewage run-off, affecting salmon and eel populations. They also raised the issue of plastic polluting the ocean. Birch said questions over the role had been repeatedly answered. "There is clearly more we can do to work alongside others to protect our precious river environment, but we cannot do this without the necessary additional resource," he said. "We will now be progressing this important work and recruiting to this post. We sincerely hope that all elected members will now get behind us and support this initiative." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Gloucestershire faces decision on 'super council' Thousands to see council tax go up in Gloucestershire New role to help bring life back into market towns Talks underway to decide if county should split in two Fly-tipping fines more than double in new measures Forest of Dean District Council
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council looks for potential housing sites
A council has asked landowners and developers to suggest sites they think could be used for housing and other developments. Forest of Dean District Council says it wants to hear suggestions as part of its annual Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA). The assessment, which is required by the government, helps pinpoint potential land for all types of housing, including for travellers. Submissions must be completed by 31 March. Council leader Adrian Birch said: "If you have land that you believe could potentially be developed in the future, either for housing or business purposes, this is your chance to submit it for consideration. "By submitting your site for potential development, it does not necessarily mean that development will happen, but it is an important first step that puts it in front of the right people for consideration. "Following this process gives us a real opportunity to think differently to achieve the sustainable development we need in the district and working together with landowners, we can aim for development that benefits and complements Forest of Dean communities and businesses." The land suggestions will be available for the public to view in an online database. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Decision delayed on plans for 140 homes in town Higher tax rates for empty houses and second homes Forest of Dean District Council
