WITH reference to your Letters page of March 28, and the letter headed 'Think again,' I would like to clarify that the letter was a personal opinion and does not represent the style or attitude of Dean Forest Voice.
Perhaps it would be more positive to communicate some facts. DFV are in favour of regeneration but not in favour of inappropriate development within the Statutory Forest. There are alternative sites where regeneration can take place without one inch of Forest being used.
Why the Statutory Forest? Because this area does have laws and Acts of Parliament which when properly applied should help to protect our Forest.
In addition, during the past year DFV have held five public meetings to openly and fairly debate how Foresters feel about development in the Statutory Forest. The majority told us they did not want to see the Statutory Forest developed. DFV have also attended and given representation at the District Plan Public Enquiry at which DFV argued for development and regeneration to take place in the appropriate place. That place is not in the "Forest" but on existing industrial sites where there are thousands of square feet available for small businesses, medium and large.
The Coalfield Regeneration funds should be spent in the communities which suffered when the pits closed. The Forest Coalfield is unique. Men walked to the pits, which were in the Forest, that's where the coal was. It does not now mean we have to spend the money in what is a national treasure, the woodland that is The Forest of Dean, our Forest!
Finally, what have we taken to be a Forester, as far as DFV is concerned? It's anyone with "the Forest at heart." – Rich Daniels, Dean Forest Voice.