REGARDING the Linear Park swap article in the Review dated 20th June and the Northern Quarter (NQ) debate in general.

As a resident of Steam Mills for the past 23 years, I would like to put forward the following: I, and many others, believe the Forest of Dean District Council will try to force this development through no matter how many objections are made, or the reasons behind them.

At least that's the way it appears, especially as the advice from experts (on wildlife and mining) is apparently being ignored.

After reading the 'swap agreed' article, I was stunned. To disregard the opinions of local people is beyond belief, and to say objections made were "largely orchestrated by the Dean Natural Alliance" (DNA) belittles the people of this area.  And does it matter who was involved with the vote? Surely if people object, they object. Isn't that the point  which should be listened to and discussed?

Patrick Molyneux has said that the "main points of objection were factually incorrect". If this is the case, could he please clarify how they were incorrect, because I, for one, would appreciate  the information.  It stands to reason that  if the only way for people to find out more about the  NQ plans, and the implications of them, is by listening to groups like the DNA then that's what will happen. And if things are factually incorrect, then tell us why.

He also stated that "the council feels there is good solid support for the project from residents". There is not.

None of the residents I've spoken to (being my neighbours) support this development. My concern is there could be a gaping hole of people who aren't aware of these plans and/or the scale of them and this 'solid support' is purely down to that lack of knowledge.

After all, if you don't know about something you can't object to it. This doesn't mean it's supported.

I have only recently discovered that the district council wants to build a  housing estate on the area of wild grass land at Steam Mills as part of the NQ plan. I had to do my own research to find this out because we have been given no information.

Many people believe this plan will go ahead whatever we say or do. How does that make the council look when the locals believe that their opinions count for nothing which, after ignoring the objections they received, does appear to be the case?

So I would like to say to the people of Steam Mills, other local residents and fellow Foresters, "we need to fight against this. We deserve to be heard. This is our home, our countryside and our wildlife. We need to protect it for the future."

Because if we don't fight we could lose everything we hold dear, piece by piece until there's nothing left.

– Leigh Woods, Steam Mills.