Plans for a new town labelled a 'horror story'

A plan for a new town near the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire border has been described as a "horror story" by nearby residents.

The new proposed settlement, named Glynchbrook, would sit within Gloucestershire but would come under Forest of Dean District Council and, if approved, would accommodate 3,500 dwellings.

Andrew Elliot, from Bromsberrow, said: "It's a travesty, it's a horror story". Herefordshire Council and Malvern District Council have both lodged opposition to the plan.

A spokesperson for Forest of Dean District Council said: "No decisions have been made on any individual site at this stage."

They added: "All potential locations are being assessed against a range of evidence, including flood risk, transport and access to services, landscape and environmental impacts, and sustainability considerations."

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Elliot said infrastructure in the area was "already bursting".

"The schools, the doctors, the dentists and Forest of Dean District Council are suggesting 3,500 new homes, which could equate to possibly 9,000 people.

"Do they think they're going to service them within the Forest of Dean district? Personally, I think that's very unlikely."

He added: "Quite simplistically, Glynchbrook should be taken out of the draft Local Plan, end of."

Elliot also said he had experienced issues with the authority's consultation process, which he described as "so user unfriendly".

"I have found it complex, I have found it confusing, and I know I'm one of very, very many others who have found it really daunting indeed," he said.

"I know many people who have just given up trying to voice their concerns."

Stella Bunn, from Castlemoreton Common, in Worcestershire, said she was concerned at the effect on the Malvern Hills.

"It's right up to the border of the area of outstanding natural beauty, which is the Malvern Hills," she explained.

"I love the Malvern Hills, born and bred, and that particular end, the southern end, is very rural and the views up there are breathtaking."

Bunn added: "[Glynchbrook] is less than half a mile from the top of the Malvern Hills so it will just take away that peace and tranquillity, that nothingness when you go up there.

"I want future generations to have what I've had."

The Worcestershire village of Pendock is situated just 200m (656 ft) from the proposed site.

Resident Ian Davies has described the new town as "planning madness".

"I'm really concerned about the congestion on the roads," he said.

"This will be a new development that will have high car dependency, and that congestion will spill over to the country roads, despite the proximity of the M50.

"And a lot of those roads flood. The site itself has a significant area that is either a flood zone from the Glynchbrook or a flood alert area.

"Yet, they're still intent on developing it."

A spokesperson for the Forest of Dean District Council said: "We recognise the concerns raised by residents and welcome their involvement in the Local Plan process.

"The council is required by the government to plan for a significant increase in new homes, and the emerging Local Plan sets out how we are exploring options to meet that requirement in a balanced and responsible way, to shape the long-term social, environmental, and economic wellbeing of the Forest of Dean.

"We have raised concerns with central government about the housing numbers we have been asked to plan for and have written to seek clarification.

"We have not received a response, and the council is therefore continuing to progress its Local Plan in line with national policy."

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