The Forest of Dean Gateway

In May 2023 West Dean Parish Council (WDPC) began to formulate ways of re-energising the stalled planning application for the Dean Forest Greenway (MUT) that had been submitted in November 2022. A group of four councillors were asked to begin this work.  It had been agreed by WDPC that due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of this work it should proceed ‘in camera’ and in conjunction with a similar group, of three councillors, from Lydney Town Council the work began. 

The route has a long a chequered past, the current situation is a continuation of this history. The route proposed by Greenways on which the Planning Application is based hit a major barrier in that it passes through areas of Ancient Woodland; located in Parkhill Enclosure and Norchard Wood.  Ancient Woodland is protected by legislation, which raised objections from Natural England and the Woodland Trust.  

By establishing good working relationships with Forestry England, Natural England, the Woodland Trust, the owners and managers of Whitemead Holiday Park and maintaining an open a working relationship with FoDDC Planning the Working Group have, through discussion and negotiation, have overcome the majority of the planning issues. 

We are proposing alterations to the planned route to provide a way of overcoming the major obstacles and other changes to address the objections at Parkend and Norchard Link. We are now able to present a revised route that opens up the way forward, which is detailed in the attached report and presentation..