THE Forest looks as though it could be a "floating feast for developers" according to the Forest branch of Friends of the Earth.

The Forest branch of FoE is calling for a review of the Forest Plan with full public consultation. It warns that if people do not take action quickly, housing targets are likely to be set in stone.

Later this week (Thursday September 30) the Forest District Council is being asked to approve a strategy which will control development in the district until 2026.

For the first time residents of the Forest will see what is planned in the core strategy – 1,900 homes in Lydney, 1,050 homes in Cinderford, 650 homes in Coleford, 350 homes in Newent and 2,258 homes in total in the villages in the district. In total, 6,200 homes.

Mary Newton, the Forest FoE's planning officer said: "The final draft of the core strategy will be the first time local residents have seen the allocations being made in their local areas. In the district over 2,258 homes in villages will be required but the document does not say where the vast majority will be as only 593 homes are actually allocated to named villages.

Mrs Newton added: "Bearing in mind the significant changes in planning since the change of government, the district council needs to hold a review with public consultation to meet the government's desire that housing needs should be set by local communities and to give neighbourhoods and local communities more power to shape the places in which they live."

• There are just two days left to have your say in the council's budget consultation.

 Forest of Dean District Council has so far heard from almost 1,200 residents about which services they would protect, reduce and stop.

A random sample of 3,500 residents were sent paper copies of the survey in the post. The survey is also available to fill in online at http://www.fdean.gov.uk">www.fdean.gov.uk.

 With an estimated £2.3 million reduction on money coming from central government over the next four years new ways of delivering services are needed and some difficult decisions will have to be made.