THE director of Forest Clays Ltd has called for the Deputy Gaveller to protect their rights of the gales at Cinderford Northern Quarter.

Stephen Wight who operates the Churchway and Mount Pleasant Gales, which is affected by the proposed development and within the Hundred of St Briavels and under the Dean Forest Mines Act 1838.

His request to Daniel Howell was sent by email in response to the Northern Quarter planning application.

He said: "On behalf of Forest Clays Ltd, galees of the Churchway and Mount Pleasant Gales affected by the Cinderford Northern Quarter development, we request your protection as Deputy Gaveller of our rights to these gales within the Hundred of St Briavels and held under the Dean Forest Mines Act."

The Review did approach the deputy gaveller for a comment.

Meanwhile, last Tuesday 6ft tall fences were erected around Steam Mills Lake to move great crested newts to allow clearance of land associated with the proposed development.

The work is being carried out by EcoVigour Ltd, on behalf of the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), who have moved the newts to a nearby area.

In an email to the Forest Deputy Surveyor Kevin Stannard, the secretary of the Dean Forest Voice (DFV), Keith Morgan said: "I am contacting you on behalf of Dean Forest Voice. It has come to the attention of members that the area surrounding the Steam Mills Lake has been fenced off and gated.

"As you will be aware this area is subject to a public access agreement. If this is a mistake on someone's part, can we request the immediate removal of these barriers?"

Mr Stannard said: "A temporary fence has been erected to allow specific works to be carried out by contractors working to the Homes & Communities Agency. The fence will be removed by HCA's contractors as soon as those works are completed. This temporary exclusion of the public from work sites is standard practice for forestry operations and has no bearing on long-term public access to the site."

The HCA says the newt movement is taking place in accordance with a European Protected Species licence granted by Natural England, and because it isn't development activity planning permission is not needed to carry out the work.

A HCA spokesman said: "We have a team of experts working with us to ensure that the work complies with all the necessary standards and would like to thank local residents for their understanding about this work."

The application will be heard before the district council on Wednesday, September 24.