In last week's Review Leigh Woods of Steam Mills made some interesting and valid points concerning the Northern Quarter issue.(NQ)

Certainly comments from the council leader such as " the council feels there is good support for the projects from residents and the main points of objection were factually incorrect," surely require quantification otherwise they can only be regarded as assumption and opinion which, coming from a local authority, can only fly in the face of democracy.

When you talk the people are forced to listen. When the people talk you are conveniently, absurdly and profoundly deaf.

Major decisions such as the NQ should be subject to binding local referendums, in this case those in Forest of Dean electoral wards within three miles of the NQ should be given the full honest facts and then afforded the right to vote. What could be simpler?

Democracy would then be the rightful and lawful winner ­– who could argue against democracy – undoubtedly the autocrats at Coleford would try but their judgement day is fast approaching as next year's local elections loom over the horizon.

Well done Mr Woods.

– Cllr Alan Preest, (UKIP, Lydney).