UNFORTUNATELY history is repeating itself with attempts to either ignore or circumvent woodland protection with regards to the Cinderford Northern Quarter area.

This is further compromised by local authorities, government agencies and indeed the Forestry Commission's attempted to joint partnership to fund a second route from Broadmoor Road to the A4136.

In order to augment their funds, they propose to sell off other education facilities, namely those at Plump Hill, Wilderness and Five Acres/Berry Hill. Added to these harmful proposals, the huge Northern Quarter, with its sensitive key wildlife sites, are to be opened up for development.

This begs the question as to whether these authorities should be allowed to continue on the path they have chosen to sell off public assets. To date, only the young environmentalists at the Wilderness are raising public awareness, through their gardening, charcoal, food and wall restoration programmes on behalf of the Royal Forest of Dean.

Currently, through indifference, apathy or ignorance of Forest culture and history, the above-mentioned partnership is prepared to divert a non-essential roadway though the key wildlife sites around the beautiful and tranquil Steam Mills lakes area. The Cinderford Area Action Plan is, in this context, a highly flawed document and one, which, in my opinion, will lead to negative consequences as follows:

1) They will set a precedent for future sales and privatisation of the Royal Forest of Dean.

2) In the event of any part of the key wildlife sites being adulterated or destroyed, the above partnership will be responsible for legal repercussions and challenges that are bound to arise.

The farcical land exchange arrangements are no more than attempts to circumvent issues with regard to the key wildlife sites. It goes without saying that the sensitive infrastructure of these sites is immoveable and it is immoral to bury them under concrete.

–

Andrew Gardiner, Ruar­dean.