FREEMINER Mike Jones of Redbrook says he believes the new post of Project Officer arising from the recent meeting of the Countryside Agency should be filled locally.

"I am sure that the right way to approach this is to choose and put forward our own candidate for the job," said Mr Jones, who was critical ahead of the meeting.

Under discussion was whether or not to grant Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status to the Forest.

He was suspicious of "outside interests" trying to influence Forest affairs and claimed they had little knowledge of its history and needs.

"Whatever happens now it is for the people of the Forest to decide," he said. "If at the end of the day it is somebody else's way that is chosen then so be it.

"It may be the way forward to have Special Status but to have solutions forced on us is wrong. If Forest people don't make themselves heard then they have only themselves to blame."

He said he was still alarmed by the amount of notice that was being taken of people who had no special link to the Forest. It seemed many had an interest in the area but no special appreciation of its ways or history.

"I am pleased however that we haven't been rushed into a fast-track solution that was being offered, and that we have time to think about the matter," he said.

"It is much too important to rush into it."

The recent meeting of the Countryside Agency followed a study tour which looked at some of the issues raised by local people.

It was decided that simply designating the area as an AONB would not do justice to the range of issues to be tackled.

However it was agreed that so far as quarrying proposals were concerned the area should be treated as if it were an AONB.

The South West regional director of the Countryside Agency, Nick Holliday, added: "Local democracy is very important in the Forest of Dean. We intend to build on our preliminary discussions with key stakeholders, to open the debate to a wider public and check that we properly understand the issues.

"This work will be taken forward by a dedicated project officer who will be based for part of the time in the Forest of Dean council offices."