IN her letter Di Martin makes a number of assertions about the area of the Cinderford Northern Quarter i.e. Steam Mills and Northern United.

She says that it is not a protected wildlife site, however the whole of the Cinderford Linear Park is designated as a Key Wildlife Site by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Key Wildlife Sites are protected by council policies in the Local Development Plan.

The Trust has recently reviewed and extended these sites to include the area of the Northern United colliery buildings because of the exceptional richness of wildlife.

The Northern Quarter is part of the Cinderford Linear Park and the Park will be much reduced if the development goes ahead. The Cinderford Linear Park was created for the public and for the rich wildlife but the wildlife is about to suffer.

It is absurd to claim that the bio-diversity will be protected and enhanced when the area will be converted into a major road with housing, a hotel, industry and a college. There will be a lot more noise, pollution, light and people driving, cycling and walking around the lake – which will certainly affect the fishing.

The Northern Quarter would perhaps become a "destination" but at the expense of the centre of Cinderford which will be reduced to a through road lined with empty shops.

– Derek Foster, Pope's Hill.