RESIDENTS in Lydney are banding together to form a new group to address concerns over the lack of infrastructure to support expansion, with three new housing developments given the go-ahead in the town.

Attendees voted to start proceedings to form Lydney Hub last Monday (February 19) at a meeting at the town’s Severn View Inn. The group will now start the necessary steps to officially become a charity.

The group’s newly appointed chair, Karen James, outlined the reasons why such a group was needed, saying: “While we are not yet officially recognised as an association, we made our intentions clear at our last meeting.

“We’re hoping to start Lydney Hub to provide a collective voice as we feel Lydney Town Council have been very slow to react to the town’s increasing expansion.

“It has been heartbreaking to see such a dramatic decline in Lydney over the past few years. In the last 12 months residents have been informed of three new housing developments at Lydney North-East, Lydney East and the newly permitted Allaston development in Lydney North, yet the infrastructure within the area is virtually non-existent.

“The town which has been described as the gateway to the forest, was once thriving with a prime shopping section, however residents now describe the town as derelict, as many shops have remained empty for some time and they feel Lydney Town Council haven’t acted fast enough to tackle the problem.

“I know I speak for the local residents of Lydney when I say that something needs to be done regarding the eyesore that Lydney town has become.

“It’s not enough to place sole responsibility for empty shopping premises on the land owners. Instead we need to consider how we can fill empty stores in a way that will not only support the town but attract new visitors too, whilst benefitting both the owner and local residents.”

The group’s next meeting will be held at The Severn View Inn, Lydney, on Monday, March 19, at 7.30pm. You can also follow the group on Facebook @lydneyhub