QUESTIONS are being asked of the Forest Council to explain why they have decided not to contest the appeal submitted by the applicant behind the Allaston development.

County councillor for Lydney, Alan Preest told the Review that despite the council refusing planning permission for the erection of 200 houses on land off Driffield Road, in Lydney, they have now decided to not defend Mr Brian Bennett's appeal.

He said: "The district council spend/waste millions on an undemocratic vanity project in Cinderford and yet cannot fight a lawfully democratic decision regarding Lydney. At the very least this should constitute a public meeting in Lydney Town Hall."

The news broke during a Lydney Town Council meeting last Friday when it was heard that principal planning officer, Martin Hillier had sent an email to the chief executive officer at the town council, Jayne Smailes.

He said: "Following a review of the council's five-year land supply in light of recent planning appeals, it has reluctantly been decided that the Forest of Dean District Council will not be supporting its reasons for refusal of the planning application."

However it is not known who actually made the decision to refuse objection, or why, as there is allegedly no democratic audit trail.

Mr Preest added: "I would also question why a public servant rather than the Leader of the council is giving this statement. I have absolutely no confidence in the planning regime at Coleford."

Leader of the council, Cllr Patrick Molyneux (Con, Hewelsfield and St Briavels) said: "The Government's National Planning Policy Framework aims to deliver more houses. Whilst this is desirable at national level, its effect locally is not what was intended and, in reality, while we have granted permissions for much-needed housing in the district, developers are choosing not to build them. 

"It appears that developers are able to argue that sites we have allocated for housing are not financially viable and that they need to build on more viable sites, sites that are outside our local plans. However, even when permission is obtained on unallocated sites the developments are still not coming to fruition. This has an adverse effect on our housing numbers and results in the council being unable, in the view of some planning inspectors, to demonstrate a clear five-year-land supply.

"Comments that have been made by inspectors at recent planning appeals indicate that policy is being interpreted in favour of developers - which means that permissions are likely to be given on sites that we have not selected. This is hampering our ability to manage development in accordance with the wishes of local residents and our own policies.

"It is as a result of this that the council has taken the decision not to defend the Allaston Road, Lydney appeal."

Resident and lead campaigner of the Stop Allaston Development (SAD), Cheryl Stickler added: "We feel totally let down and can't understand the council's reason – it makes a mockery of the planning. We thought they were there to do the right thing by Lydney not destroy it."