Forest of Dean District Council Launches Consultation on Revised Local Plan Housing Options
Forest of Dean District Council has launched a six-week public consultation on the Local Plan Options to Deliver the Additional Housing Requirement. The consultation, which opened on 31st July 2025 and runs until Thursday 11th September 2025, seeks views from residents, stakeholders, and local organisations on how to accommodate a significantly increased housing need across the district.
Why is this happening?
In December 2024, the Government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which introduced a new standard method for calculating housing need. This change has led to a substantial uplift in the minimum number of homes the Forest of Dean must plan for—from 330 new homes per year to 600, an increase of 82%.
As a result, the total housing requirement over the Local Plan period has increased from 6,600 to 13,200 homes, covering an extended plan period from 2021 to 2043. This means that an additional 6,600 homes now need to be accounted for beyond what was proposed in the Draft Local Plan 2024.
What is being consulted on?
The Council is seeking feedback on a range of strategic options to meet this increased housing demand in a sustainable and appropriate way. These include:
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Option 1: Selective planned expansion of existing settlements
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Option 2: General distribution of housing around all existing settlements
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Option 3: Incremental change up to the limits of constraints
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Option 4: Creation of one or more planned new settlements
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Option 5: Transferring some development to neighbouring authorities
Following a detailed sustainability appraisal, the Council’s preferred approach is a combination of Option 1 and Option 4—expanding the most sustainable existing settlements while also planning for a new long-term settlement. This combination is considered the most effective way to meet both short- and long-term housing needs while maintaining the distinct character of the district and protecting its valuable environmental assets.
How can I get involved?
Members of the public are encouraged to read the consultation documents and provide their views through the online portal or by email or post.
View and comment online:
https://fdean.objective.co.uk/kse/folder/5354
Email your response:
localplans@fdean.gov.uk
Post your response to:
Local Plans Team
Forest of Dean District Council
Council Offices
High Street
Coleford
GL16 8HG
Hard copies of the consultation document, summary leaflet, and a display poster are available upon request.
Community Drop-In Sessions
To support the consultation, a series of drop-in events will be held across the district where members of the public can learn more and ask questions directly to Council officers:
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Tuesday 12 August: Corse & Staunton Village Hall
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Wednesday 13 August: Cinderford Miners Welfare Hall
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Thursday 14 August: Lydney Community Centre
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Monday 18 August: Kings Head, Birdwood
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Tuesday 19 August: Newent Community Pavilion
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Wednesday 20 August: Tidenham Memorial Hall
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Tuesday 26 August: Coleford Council Offices
All sessions run from 3:00pm to 6:30pm
What’s Next?
Following the close of the consultation, all responses will be carefully reviewed. A revised strategy will be presented to Council later in 2025, followed by a further consultation on a Revised Draft Local Plan in early 2026.
This is a pivotal opportunity to help shape the future of the Forest of Dean. We encourage all residents, community groups, and stakeholders to take part and have their say on where and how growth should be planned in the years to come.
For more information and to access the consultation documents, visit:
www.fdean.gov.uk/localplan
Full Documents:
Local Plan A4 Leaflet – options leaflet
local-plan-options-to-deliver-the-additional-housing-requirement