THERE are chances this week to hear all about progress with the Countryside Agency's innovative work in the Forest of Dean.
There are public meetings at Dymock Village Hall on Thursday (7.30pm) and at Cinderford Miners' Hall on Saturday (2pm).
Members of the Countryside Agency's Forest of Dean team will provide an update on the progress of the Agency's Integrated Rural Development project, will talk about what might happen next and will answer questions.
Team leader, Val Kirby, said: "The IRD project in the Dean is nearing the close of its first phase and we will soon be asked to report on what it means for Agency policy – and how the approach needs to evolve, to meet the needs of the Forest of Dean and potentially other rural communities in England.
"Before we do that, we ant to give everyone in the Dean the chance to find out what we are doing, and how this work fits into other initiatives currently happening in the Forest."
The Dean's IRD project is unique in that it is the first time the Countryside Agency has sought to explore and test how the protection, enhancement and management of a place's landscape and cultural heritage can be dovetailed with the sustainable regeneration of local communities and the economy.
Val added: "As well as reporting on the project overall, we will also be talking about progress with our Landscape Character Assessment; how we will be using the other information we've been gathering, including the By Definition project, archaeological surveys and biodiversity studies, and what this all means for the Local Plan Inquiry.
"We will also be outlining our plans from now on, including further public meetings and debates in the new year. All of this work and the results of consultations will be discussed by the Countryside Agency Board early next year."
Both meetings are free, and open to all. There is no need to book.