THE front page of another local publication last week carried a piece on the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan including the approximate cost (£11,200) of the upcoming referendum.

I would like to point out that the referendum costs are covered by DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) with no cost falling to the local council tax payer.

In fact the advertised sum is £20,000 for referendum costs out of a total of £30,000 available to the Forest of Dean District Council from central government to support the plan.

– Brian Pearman, Chair, Lydney NDP Group.