LYDNEY is a town of the threshold of new opportunities and with a chance to determine its own future, says local resident and town councillor Brian Pearman.

Mr Pearman, leader of the town's Neighbourhood Development Project, says the opportunity to take the initiative has arisen from the Government's Localism legislation which enables residents to shape the future of the town.

And just how the future could look will be explored at a public meeting to be held in the Town Hall on Friday evening January 11 starting at 6.30pm.

Residents are being asked to turn out in force to have a say in what might happen and to listen to details of a timetable for the project as well as some of the objectives.

Mr Pearman said the Localism legislation gave the town an opportunity to build up a head of steam and to make progress on the positives created by the high number of new houses being built locally.

The Town Hall event will be attended by Forest MP Mark Harper and the district council's planning chief Peter Hibberd.

Mr Pearman said it was hoped the meeting would form part of a process to find out about the desires and aspirations of Lydney people and the first step would be to form a list of priorities.

This would include getting the views of local businesses, retailers and entrepreneurs.

"Lydney is one of the most prosperous and fastest growing towns in Gloucestershire facing unprecedented development that will bring challenges and opportunities," he said.

The new developments, he added, would bring funds through agreements made between developers and planners to support infrastructure.

Mr Pearman added: "I am a Lydney resident who has had the pleasure of seeing my family grow up in a wonderful setting and in a great community. When the recession lifts, Lydney will be bursting with new homes and we have to make sure we have the right infrastructure to support this growth.

"This legislation could not have come at a better time for Lydney to shape its own future. We need people to come forward and engage with this plan, so I am hoping there will be a good turnout on January 11. The Neighbourhood Development Plan won't fix everything but it can have a good try at taking Lydney's future back into its own hand," said Mr Pearman.