THE FOREST of Dean District Council has issued a response to growing concerns surrounding its proposed biosphere application, as debate continues across the district and calls mount for the process to be paused.

In a statement released this week, the authority said it welcomed “open discussion and scrutiny” but emphasised that public debate must be based on accurate information.

The clarification follows recent engagement with the Forest of Dean Commoners Association, with the council providing written answers to key questions, particularly around the future of Commoning.

The biosphere proposal, the council says, is intended to provide a long-term framework for partnership working across the Forest.

The authority also highlighted the wider context of local government reform, with Forest of Dean District Council set to be replaced by a new unitary authority in 2028.

Much of the recent concern has centred on the potential impact on Commoners and traditional practices.

A council spokesperson said: “Commoners’ activities, including grazing, would continue unchanged. These practices would be recognised as a core part of what makes the Forest of Dean special.”

The statement states that biosphere designation would not introduce new laws or legal responsibilities, meaning existing rights, including grazing and access arrangements, would remain exactly as they are now.

Fears over increased fencing within the Statutory Forest have also been addressed directly. The council said the biosphere would not require any additional fencing and that land management approaches linked to such designations often favour open landscapes and conservation grazing rather than enclosure.

In terms of governance, proposals are being developed to ensure Commoners and other traditional stakeholders play a central role.

Suggested structures include a Stewardship Assembly, a Delivery Group and a Custodians Panel, with representation for Commoners, Verderers and Freeminers.

Beyond reassurance on protections, the council outlined what it sees as the potential benefits of biosphere status.

These include international recognition of the Forest of Dean as a unique landscape shaped by people and nature, as well as improved access to funding streams. This funding could support habitat restoration, grazing infrastructure and help sustain future generations of Commoners.

While the Forest has strong foundations, including high levels of self-employment and a diverse business base, the council noted that a significant amount of economic value currently leaves the area.

The council also responded to criticism over the level of public consultation carried out so far. It said a formal consultation had been undertaken during the early stages of the process and was promoted through a range of channels, including online platforms, direct communications, public events and a leaflet delivered to households across the district.

While acknowledging that response levels have been raised as a concern, the authority stressed that participation in consultations is voluntary and cannot be enforced.

It added that engagement is ongoing and will continue throughout the development of the proposal.

Looking ahead, the next stage of the process will see an initial nomination submitted at the end of April for preliminary feedback. A full application is expected to follow later in the summer.