AS we leave behind the pleasantries of the Christmas season to face another year which, in the present economic climate, is sure to bring difficulties to many of us, it is of no help to realise that, in this district, we are governed by a planning authority which is more akin to a dictatorship than a democracy.

Our local planners seem hell-bent on turning a blind eye and deaf ears to the many protests over their highly controversial plans for the Northern Quarter. They, the Forest of Dean District Council, demonstrate their arrogant determination to ride roughshod over the whole raft of opposing local environmental groups whose experts in their fields have presented good reasons why the plans currently forging ahead should be put on hold until transparent and meaningful impact assessments have been fully conducted.

Care for the natural environment should be of paramount importance, especially in an area such as ours, yet our District Council seem to know precious little (and to care even less) for the delicate balance of nature which is so vulnerable to the impact of bricks and mortar and hasty development decisions.

This particular Northern Quarter plan has so outraged some local groups that one objection is nearing the end of a legal challenge, whilst Dean Forest Voice seem to be in the process of launching another one. Friends of the Forest say "Here's power to their elbow." Yet we wonder why DFV seem unable to realise, as do all other local environmental groups, that the establishment of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) would do much to resolve such controversial matters that threaten the landscapes and biodiversity of the Forest of Dean to which such issues are important to DFV.

Strangely, some DFV members have signed the AONB petition, yet, collectively, the group oppose something that can only help their remit to protect the statutory forest; how very odd!

– Colin Smith, chairman Friends of the Forest.