THE Forest of Dean District Council has voted to revise its current Local Plan and begin preparing a new plan using the government’s new ‘gateway’ process.

The council said this was a result of national government timetabling constraints, significant resident feedback and the need to update and progress the supporting technical evidence base.

It said the decision follows extensive engagement with councillors and residents, including more than 3,600 responses to the public consultation held between January and March 2026.

The news comes following its latest meeting on June 30, which was re-arranged from last week amid the extreme heat.

Feedback highlighted strong concerns about the options required to meet government housing targets and proposed site suitability for the Forest of Dean.

Cllr Adrian Birch, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, said: “As a council, our first priority is to ensure that we listen to and deliver for our residents.

“Having spoken to many residents at our in-person events earlier this year, and having carefully reviewed the consultation feedback, it is clear that the options needed to meet Government housing targets could not be achieved without more work to be right for our area.

“At the same time, the strict timelines for producing a Local Plan in the current system mean it would not be realistic to continue with the current approach and revisit these options in the time available.

“As a result, the council has taken the decision to move to the government’s new ‘gateway’ plan making process.”

The government’s ‘gateway’ approach for Local Plans is a digital system designed to accelerate plan-making, with a fixed 30-month timetable following gateway 1 to adoption.

The council said moving to this process will allow it to restart plan-making within a clearer national framework that prioritises speed, certainty and deliverability.

It said continuing with the existing plan could risk government intervention or produce an “unsound plan”, which could weaken its ability to shape development.

The council believes without an up-to-date Local Plan, the area becomes more vulnerable to speculative development and planning decisions made on appeal.

Cllr Adrian Birch said: “This is a pragmatic decision that allows us to move forward within the national framework, while continuing to work towards a Local Plan that reflects the needs and priorities of the Forest of Dean.

“The ‘gateway’ process gives us a clear and structured route to a new Local Plan, and we hope this decision will provide greater certainty for our communities, developers, and infrastructure providers.

“We will now begin work under the new system and will continue to keep residents informed as the plan progresses.”

United Against Glynchbrook, a campaign group which opposes a new town near Redmarley, previously said it welcomed the meeting to discuss withdrawing the local plan.

Further information on the Forest of Dean Local Plan and previous consultation responses can be found online at: https://fdean.gov.uk/localplan