I HAVE recently written to the MP and the leader of the county council asking for their support for the formation of a multi-agency flood group with the mandate to minutely scrutinise every existing/ outstanding/future (more than five units) planning application that concerns Lydney and the immediate surrounding area, specifically concentrating on water run-off. 

Once again concerns around the Lakeside area abound and at the bottom of Highfield Hill a recent increase in standing-water has been apparent.

With the amount of existing and speculative planning applications that surround particularly the northern and eastern areas of Lydney many, myself included, are not convinced that appropriate due regard has been/is being taken by the planning authority – Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC), with regard to existing and potential flood risk (Fallers Field and Oakdale can easily be cited as fairly recent examples).

Continued, and frankly unnecessary, development on greenfield land can only intensify the situation.

I look forward to the formation of this group, which, if it runs in conjunction with the existing excellent Lydney flood group, brokered by my town council colleagues, can only complement and help work towards a flood-free future for Lydney.

Planning rules in the National Planning Policy Framework require change to make it easier to build on brownfield sites.

Central government should list the nationally available brownfield sites for development and issue low-interest bonds to enable decontamination.

Subsequently houses built on brownfield sites should be exempt from Stamp Duty on their first sale and VAT relaxed for brownfield site redevelopment.

Mind you, FoDDC continue to perpetuate the myth that there is a dire need for housing in Lydney (albeit without infrastructural improvement).

I perpetually argue against this myth (with the exception of one bedroom properties).

If you don't believe me ask the developer Robert Hitchens as to why they are not building.

– Cllr Alan Preest (UKIP), Gloucestershire County Council, Lydney.