Over recent months, many residents have taken the time to share their views on the proposed Local Plan, and I want to begin by thanking everyone who engaged so thoughtfully in that process. Your feedback reflects not only people’s concerns, but also their hopes for the future of our communities. From the outset, I made a conscious decision to remain neutral during the consultation period. On an issue as significant as this—one that will shape the character of our area for decades to come—it is essential that residents are at the heart of the discussion. This plan will define how and where people live, work, and raise families, and it is only right that local people guide those decisions. Local Plans are the responsibility of the Forest of Dean District Council. It is for them to bring forward proposals that reflect both the needs of the communities they serve. In recent weeks, I have spent time meeting with residents across the area, attending local discussions, and visiting a number of the proposed development sites. These conversations and visits have been invaluable. They have provided a clearer picture of how these proposals could affect daily life, from traffic and school places to access to healthcare and outdoor spaces. What I have heard—and seen—has been consistent. We do need new homes in the Forest of Dean. But this is not the right way to deliver them. Development must be driven by genuine need—not treated as a tick-box exercise. It must be driven by genuine local demand and shaped in a way that strengthens, rather than strains, existing communities. The scale and concentration of development in certain areas risks placing significant pressure on existing communities. I do not support the current strategy being pursued by the Forest of Dean District Council, particularly the level and focus of development proposed in areas such as Churcham and Glynchbrook in Redmarley. This approach risks placing unacceptable pressure on infrastructure and local services. Roads, healthcare, schools, and community services must come first. Without that, development risks undermining the very communities it is meant to support. Residents have been clear: we need a better, fairer approach—one that reflects real need and shares development more evenly across the Forest of Dean. That means the right homes, in the right places, with a stronger focus on social and affordable housing for those who need it most. Getting this right is crucial, and it is the responsibility of the Forest of Dean District Council to take these concerns seriously and be prepared to adjust its approach. I will continue to support where appropriate and challenge where necessary to ensure that fairness, need, and infrastructure remain central to the final plan. I will also continue to raise your concerns at national level, particularly where infrastructure, funding, and housing delivery depend on Government support. We need a Local Plan built on need—not numbers—delivering the right homes, in the right places, for the people who need them most.