A TOWN square, the introduction of an ambitious plan to regenerate Newerne Street and possible solutions to a host of transport issues are likely to be included in a plan to be presented to Lydney residents by the end of the year.

If accepted, the proposals could be decided by the outcome of a referendum and become part of the town's future plans.

The new look at how Lydney should progress over the next 20 years is being formulated by members of a steering committee chaired by town councillor Brian Pearman.

Mr Pearman wants to draw together views from all quarters. He says he believes the town is ideally placed to take advantage of the Government's 'localism' agenda which passes planning powers to local people and enables them to have a far greater say in how they want the town to grow and progress.

The steering group, made up of town councillors and members of the community, is already working on a Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan, a project which has grown out of a recent public meeting attended by local MP Mark Harper.

Mr Pearman said the plan gave an opportunity for the people of Lydney to express their own views on how the town should develop and what they believed were the key issues.

He said: "Nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out. The crucial thing is that we have had a positive feedback from the public meeting and now want to press ahead.

"We are meeting with leading members and officers of the district council to discuss the Neighbourhood Development Plan and, additionally, I would like to establish a forum with local businesses to find out how the plan can help bring greater prosperity to the town."

He said that the steering group in conjunction with the town council had also lodged a "Right to Bid" with the district council – a process which could be key to any future town centre regeneration proposals.

"We have had no teeth in the past but if we can combine the Development Plan with the district council's Lydney Area Action Plan then we can begin to drive things forward. I would like to think that by the end of the year we could have a plan in place," he said.

Commenting after the public meeting Mr Harper said the Neighbourhood Development Plan was a real opportunity for local people to have an influence on what was done in the community.

He said: "Unlike what has happened in the past their views will be taken into account and they will have the final say with a referendum on the Development Plan. I am pleased to see Lydney leading the way in the Forest and look forward to seeing other areas doing likewise."