A MASTERPLAN for the Cinderford Northern Quarter was prepared a year ago by Alan Baxter, a London firm, and copies distributed to district councillors for their sole use with a caveat that it should not be relied on or used by third parties.

Perhaps Leigh Woods and others might find a copy in the library.

Page 21 lists some of the constraints, page 88 consideration for development of the site: "much of the site is covered with loosely compacted fill material to depths of up to 30 metres.

"Foundations...for the new buildings..may need deep piles." What?

How the councillors, who have presumably studied this document, can let the development proceed cannot be imagined. Shame on them.

The masterplan itself is quite hazy. Attractive pictures, talk of leafy boulevards etc, many maps but hard to understand. In full colour of course.

We understand around £14K has already been spent on consultations, the spine road subsoil is being tested to a great depth even now but it is not too late for residents to make their voices heard.

– S Mills, Ruardean.