Thousands of new homes planned for the Forest of Dean

As many as 6,600 new homes need to be built in the Forest of Dean by 2041

People have expressed concern the Forest of Dean is being treated as an overflow housing area for Bristol, as a planning consultation is launched.

The district council needs to find room for 6,600 properties between now and 2041 and has put together a draft local plan showing exactly where developments could go.

The plan looks at expanding already built up areas, with a large number of the homes being allocated to three locations, Beachley, Lydney and Newent.

Nigel Blewett, from Berry Hill, said the area was becoming "nothing more than an overflow area now for Bristol".

Councillor Sid Phelps wants local people to have their say on the plans

A consultation on the plan is running until 19 August.

Cabinet member for local plan, councillor Sid Phelps said: "The government gives us targets for allocating houses and planning for the future and we were in the middle of this planning, which should last up until about 2041.

"The Forest is a beautiful place and we want to keep it that way and we want it as sustainable as possible.

"There is a fine balance, the need for housing, but also in somewhere like the Forest of Dean, you've got to pick the right place."

He added that they have identified three main areas to put houses.

"The first will be at Beachley barracks, which should be coming up in the next eight to ten years.

"The second will see continued development in Lydney, which already has pretty good infrastructure.

"We're also proposing to expand Newent."

Nigel Blewett fears the Forest is becoming an overflow area for Bristol

A drop-in session was held at the Forest of Dean District Council offices in Coleford for residents to see the plans.

Mr Blewett added: "My first question to them is can they prove to me that there are thousands of people indigenous to the area looking to buy a house or to rent and there just isn't.

"The Forest is a lovely area to live, I've been here all my life and I'm seventy years of age.

"I've seen sways and sways of towns and villages ruined with over development."

Stuart Cox wants to make sure much needed homes are built in the right place

Stuart Cox, from Coleford Town Council, said getting the right locations for new homes is vital.

He said: "We have to have new housing and we're happy to have new housing, but it's got to be in the right place, both in terms of not affecting the environment and also in terms of the other services that need to go with housing.

"We have what we call in the town the green ring, which keeps a clear distinction between Coleford itself and the satellite villages like Broadwell.

"We don't want to become one amorphous mass."