As Lydney county councillor I would like to pass my thanks both to Cllr Brian Pearman and Cllr James Bevan who both performed admirably in support of Lydney Town Council and ultimately concerned residents of our town at the Allaston planning appeal.

I still find the Forest of Dean District Council's reluctance to support a decision passed by their planning committee flawed, devoid of openness and transparency and one which leaves an extremely bad taste specifically in the name of democracy and proper representation.

Equally disturbing was the fact that not one of the other five district councillors who represent Lydney (including the long-standing planning chairman and, inexcusably, the ward member for Lydney North) chose to speak on an issue that has caused so much public unrest and concern.

I would compare Lydney at this moment in time to a sandwich – much good work being done at town council level, inclusive work being taken forward at county, but, the filling of the sandwich which is Forest of Dean District Council et al palpably absent.