In his letter 'A lack of vision' (Review, February 3), Colin Smith writes understandingly of his frustration along with 'Friends of the Forest' concerning the support given by the Forest of Dean District Council for the development of the Northern Quarter, Cinderford.

However, whether intended or not, his letter could be considered to be disingenuous by those involved each and every day in championing Forest issues. This role involves the 'scrutiny' of unfolding plans and issues that arise within the council and the concerns of individuals and organisations.

This aspect can be contentious when it challenges the 'best laid plans' of cabinet and indeed members of full council. The future of the Government's Forestry Policy involves aspects that affect the very future of the Forest of Dean's extended woodlands, and is a matter with which I have been actively engaged since their disastrous proposals associated with the 1967 Forestry Act and 1981 as exempted and 2010.

However, when history started to repeat itself, the leader of the council, Patrick Molyneux, offered me a 'championing' role to be responsible for Forest issues, in which I engage with officers and members of the cabinet and a Woodland Advisory Group. In doing this work, it must be said that their support and contribution has been superb. Unlike the 'scrutiny' role, this aspect of work is proving to be most creative in its delivery.

For example: a) Excellent response to the Independent Forestry Panel; b) Submission to the National Planning Policy Framework referencing veteran trees and ancient woodland landscape designations, biodiversity and wildlife Heritage Forests and woodlands; c) Current response underway to the Independent Panel's interim report, which I personally hope will go beyond the request for preservation and protection of public woodlands, and to recognise the need to engage and train young people in forestry skills and then employ them in a range of skills to regenerate the farming hinterland linking woodlands across England. In this, the thrust must be to model the Forest of Dean as an example for the rest of the English forest estate.

With regards to the specific issue of the Northern Quarter Cinderford, there are matters that need urgently addressing. Firstly, there is the unnecessary delineation of Hawkwell Enclosure and Birch Wood and proposals to divert a relatively short Nailbridge crossing all the way around Northern. This grand detour is now compromised further by plans to drive this route right through the last vestige of our mining heritage, which is integral with the Northern United buildings.

The rationale behind this costly plan is that by continuing the use of the existing road alongside Northern, it will interfere with the flight of the bats – which begs the question about whether the proposed wholesale destruction of adjacent buildings through and alongside their habitat can be regarded as anything but a total destruction of the original habitat. The original bypass scheme around Steam Mills (1990 – see alternative route " A" on map) for a Cinderford spine road extension to the industrial estate from a roundabout by Steam Mills School would use land already owned by the district council, along a short route to Winner Garage. This would be very cost effective compared to the detour around Northern, and beneficial to the villages north of the A4136.

Indeed, this was the preferred option when the proposals went before the County Transport Committee (June 6, 1990). They further identified road safety gains based on a roundabout proposal to reduce the traffic speeds adjacent to the school and to reduce traffic flows through Steam Mills by 50 per cent. Added to all these considerations will be a lengthy detour around Northern from Mitcheldean, Drybrook and Ruardean, and the many lorries which pass through these villages from the Ross motorway. This would be a win, win NQ phase 1 solution and allow the long-awaited spine road to be constructed, which was always the prime regeneration objective for Cinderford.

– Andrew Gardin­er, Ruardean.