IN response to the Allaston appeal letter from ‘Resident’ – while thanks must go to Mark Harper MP and those responsible for the vision of the proposed Lydney Neighbourhood Plan, those responsible for overturning a democratic planning committee decision and in the words of ‘Resident’: “made the unwise decision not to contest the appeal” were (deputy leader of the council) Cllr Brian Robinson, Cllr Terry Glastonbury (now retired) and a Forest of Dean District Council solicitor.

I also apportion blame to the individual for failing to ensure that the potentially undemocratic consequen­ces of the U-turn were not presented to full council for debate and ultimate decision.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, the leader of the Forest of Dean District Council, is now quoted as saying the council was “pleased with the Secretary of State’s decision” – contradictory back slaps all round then, old mate.

It may also please ‘Resident’ that at the October meeting of the full council, at my instigation, a unanimous motion was passed calling for a thorough and – vitally important – independent review of all aspects of the Forest of Dean District Council’s planning system with a simple mandate to restore confidence in the planning system.

More than two months have now elapsed since the unanimous decision on this most important issue.

The council has done nothing ‘officially’ to publicly promulgate the full council’s wishes.

Perhaps “officially” it is believed little is wrong?

– Cllr Alan Preest (UKIP), Forest of Dean District Council, Lydney North.