THE Environment Agency has decided to press ahead with investigating 'Option C' – a marina, perhaps and environment education centre, but no housing – for Lydney's harbour.
"Since the partnership group met to discuss the results of our survey and an exhibition and public consultation exercise, we thought Option C was the most appropriate direction," said environment assessment officer Will Reed.
But he was anxious to stress that the present state of affairs did not mean that the agency had yet made any commitment to a particular course of action.
"Rather, we are thoroughly investigating the feasibility of the elements in Option C," he said. "So there are no promises. We hope though that we will be making a statement in about a month's time.
"We are moving ahead, but cautiously. We will then need to have a business plan. What comes out of it may involve private as well as public money, and we will be exploring the possibility of grants."
Any future action on the unique harbour, built to cope with the Severn's huge tide range, would depend on the feasibility studies now under way and agreement between the partnership of the Forest of Dean District Council, Lydney Town Council, the County Council, English Heritage and the Environment Agency.
Mr Reed, who is based at the Environment Agency's Tewkesbury office, says he was 'very encouraged' by the amount of interest people had taken in the recent public exhibition in Lydney explaining the options they faced for restoring and developing the harbour.
"And I was very pleased with the numbers who filled in questionnaires and took part in our public consultation," he said.
"It was very worthwhile. All credit to the people of Lydney."