Concerns new town could create 'traffic corridor'

30 December 2025

Carmelo GarciaLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — If approved, the new settlement next to the M50 near Redmarley would comprise a mix of up to 3,000 homes

Glynchbrook The new settlement next to the M50 near Redmarley would comprise a mix of up to 3,000 homes, and workspaces to support a range of around 3,000 new jobs, as well as community, education, recreational, health and retail facilities. — If approved, the new settlement next to the M50 near Redmarley would comprise a mix of up to 3,000 homes

A charity calling for clean air and accessible streets says plans for a new 3,000-home town could turn surrounding roads into a "corridor for traffic".

Living Streets bosses have warned that proposals to build thousands of new homes at Glynchbrook, which is between the M50 the A417, may result in residents depending on vehicles to access everyday necessities.

Forest of Dean District Council has confirmed it is considering the 113.8 hectare site, despite its own report finding it was "poorly located for low carbon access to services".

A council spokesperson said they "recognised the concerns" around transport and sustainability and no decisions had been made.

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"These matters form a key part of the assessment of potential sites, alongside national planning policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework," they said.

Tanya Braun, external affairs director at Living Streets, said while new homes were "desperately needed", streets "deserve to be more than corridors for traffic".

Handout Tanya Braun smiling into the camera. She is in an outdoor setting. The background of the image is blurred. — Ms Braun said the plans would create a "corridor of traffic"

Ms Braun said new developments should be "designed to support people to choose healthier forms of transport" so they are not "forced to lead car-centric lives to be able to access their everyday needs".

She added that the council had the "opportunity" to build new homes on more sustainable sites, allowing people to walk, cycle or take public transport.

Submitted An aerial shot of a flooded field and country road. The water is brown and muddy and the road is lined by trees with no leaves. There are farm buildings at the top of the shot — A council report found the site at Glynchbrook was also at risk of flooding

The council is considering the creation of one or two new towns to meet its government-imposed housing target of about 12,000 new homes by 2045.

One of the possible sites is between the M50 and the A417, called Glynchbrook.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), residents had raised concerns for the proposal at Glynchbrook as the area lacks a secondary school and train station.

The site is only served by one bus route and is more than 5.5 miles (8.8km) from a GP's surgery.

The council's own sustainability assessment found if approved, those living at the site would have a "high reliability on transport by car".

The report also found the site was at risk of flooding.

Handout Alex Girling stood in a garden. She is smiling into the camera. — Resident Alex Girling said the site would be "pointless" as some people cannot afford cars

Resident Rosemary Brierley, who lives in Lowbands, said while she understands the need to drive in pre-existing towns, new towns "must have adequate public transport options".

She said if the site at Glynbrook was to go ahead, "you would just be plonking people in the middle of nowhere".

Resident Alex Girling, 58, from Lowbands said "driving is expensive" and it would be "pointless" as only those who could afford a car would be able to live at the site.

The district council is expected decide on whether to pursue the plans in January.

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