I visited the much-vaunted exhibition of the plans for Cinderford Northern Quarter and have to say I was rather disappointed with the information available.

I would like to have seen information about how this scheme will regenerate and improve Cinderford town.

I would also have been interested in how many long-term new jobs will be generated and what type of employment this will be (of course excluding existing jobs at the college etc which would simply change location and temporary construction jobs which are less likely to be available to local people.)

For me the main omission was the lack of information about the wildlife and how this is going to be preserved.

The plans which were on display brought home just what a raw deal this will be for the area's wildlife and habitat.

Virtually all of the grassland which has developed over 40 years and now supports a very diverse and different range of plants and animals will disappear.

The plan for how and where this habitat can be re-created and what the existing wildlife will do whilst this 'preparation' takes place was vague to say the least.

I visited the exhibition on Saturday morning and it was my impression that the vast majority of people present were very worried about the loss of this piece of their Forest and its creatures.

I would urge anyone who values this gem of nature to make their opinions known to the Forest of Dean District Council especially when further planning applications are put forward early in the new year.

On a personal note, I would be very pleased if the gentleman I spoke to from Steam Mills who is worried about the great crested newts around his garden could get in touch with me via this newspaper.

– David Dewsbury, Coleford.