There were cries of “shame on you” from villagers who turned out in force at a Forest Council meeting, as controversial proposals to build 5,500 homes in two new towns edged closer to becoming reality.

Around 100 people rallied outside the offices undeterred by heavy Coleford rain ahead of a meeting about how the council will meet the government set target of 12,631 homes to be built in he district.

Councillors agreed by the smallest of margins to go out for consultation on their draft development blueprint, which will set out where homes could be built over the next 20 years.

Leader of the council Cllr Adrian Birch stressed that no decisions had yet be taken about sites.

The Local Plan’s most controversial aspects include the creation of new towns at Churcham and Glynchbrook near the M50.

A coachload of residents from Redmarley and 40 from Churcham were at the full meeting of the council last Thursday.

The vote to consult on the draft plan was tied at 18 with the Chair, Cllr Di Martin (Labour, Cinderford East) using her casting vote to get the proposal over the line.

Under the previous Progressive Independents administration, proposals for development at Churcham were removed following a huge public outcry.

Cllr Bernie O’Neill (Lab, Ruspidge) asked the meeting: “It was rejected by huge numbers of people, and yet it's been brought forward again. How much notice will be taken of it (the consultation) and how are the responses to be assessed?”

The council’s Forward Plans Manager, Conrad Moore,said: “The strategy back then was resolved by that administration in the context of the government advice and numbers required at that time. Circumstances change.”

Head of governance Helen Clark said it was a legal requirement for the council to take the consultation into account.

“You can't get out of it, you can't ignore them, you have to take them into account. It's an absolute.”

Cllr O’Neill said: “It's not taking them into account. How much account will they be taken of? That's what worries me.”

Cllr Birch (Green, Tidenham) said taking the plan to consultation “doesn’t silence the community”.

“It does the opposite – it gives them a formal, meaningful, lawful opportunity to shape what comes next.

“This decision is not about saying yes to development. It’s about saying yes to local leadership, democratic involvement, evidence-led decision making and retaining control over the future of our district.”

Cllr Gillian Kilmurrary (Con, Dymock) got a round of applause from the public gallery when she brought up the issue of infrastructure.

She said: “There seems to be a feeling we will build the settlements and the infrastructure will follow. We all know that doesn’t happen.”

Reform UK Councillor Stuart Graham (Cinderford East) said the plan was not well thought out in terms of employment, transport, health and education provision for locals.

“It’s just too easy for developers to get out of the requirements for social and affordable housing,” he said.

Cllr Jacob Sanders (Lab, Cinderford East),said without a Local Plan developers could “do whatever they want”.

“It’s essential we continue the process of adopting a Local Plan.”

He said the consultation on the draft plan will allow everyone in the district to have their say.

Forest residents will now be invited to have their say on the future of development in the district, via a new round of community consultation events.

The council will begin a series of in-person Local Plan events from Tuesday, February 11, starting at Corse and Staunton Village Hall.

The events will run at venues across the Forest over the following weeks and are designed to give residents the chance to view the Revised Draft Local Plan and speak directly with council officers about what it could mean for their area.

The formal consultation opens on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, and the council says the drop-in sessions will allow people to understand the process, key milestones and how they can influence decisions before the plan is finalised.

Further events will take place at Lydney Community Centre on February 17, Cinderford Town Council Offices on February 18, Newent Community Pavilion on February 23, Sedbury and Beachley Village Hall on February 25, Huntley Village Hall on February 28, and Coleford District Council Offices on March 4.

The Local Plan sets out how development across the district is managed, guiding decisions on housing, employment and land use. The current plan covers the period up to 2026 and is made up of several documents, including the Core Strategy and the Allocations Plan, which was adopted in June 2018.

The Core Strategy outlines the long-term vision for how the district should evolve, while the Allocations Plan details where development should take place, updates housing requirements and defines settlement boundaries and protected areas.

Residents are encouraged to attend a local session and take part in the consultation to help shape the next phase of planning across the Forest of Dean.