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1. What is the purpose of the Guide? The special qualities of the Forest of Dean have been valued for a long time. The character of the area is created by a unique mixture of the human and the natural: landscape, river and forest, culture, history, tradition, industry, trade and transport.

The Forest of Dean Integrated Rural Development Programme which started in 2000, aims to protect those special qualities while meeting the social and economic needs of those that live in the Forest. The programme is currently in Phase 2 (Nov 2004): Building on What’s Special (known as BOWS for short).

An important part of the Programme has been to research those special qualities: to find out more about what makes the Forest of Dean special. This research is called the “baseline studies”. The purpose of this Guide is to give a short explanation of what each of the studies is about, what information it contains and how it could be used. It also gives an introduction to the approach which is being taken to “safeguard what’s special” in the Forest of Dean. INTRODUCTION 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:16 PM Page 4

THE FOREST OF DEAN - Integrated Rural Development Programme

INTRODUCTION 2 1. What is the purpose of this guide? 2 2. How can the special qualities of The Forest of Dean be protected? 4 3. PHASE 1 OF THE PROGRAMME 5 4. PHASE 2 OF THE PROGRAMME: Building on What’s Special (BOWS) 6 5. Detailed Studies 7 6. A Working Forest 7

LANDSCAPE 8 7. Landscape Character Assessment 8 8. Landscape Strategy 12

BIODIVERSITY – WILDLIFE SPECIES & HABITATS 14 9. The Forest of Dean Biodiversity Project 14

ARCHAEOLOGY 18 10. The Forest of Dean Archaeology Survey 18 11. Survey of early iron industry sites 21

WHAT MAKES THE FOREST OF DEAN SPECIAL? 22 12. Dean by Definition 22

BUILDING ON THE SPECIAL QUALITIES 26 13. Tourism study 26

USING THE INFORMATION IN THE BASELINE STUDIES 30 14. Why is the information important? 30

CONTENTS 15. The Planning System 31 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:16 PM Page 5

2. How can the special qualities of the Forest of Dean be protected?

Historical background suggested that a different approach was needed, which would protect the special qualities of the The special qualities of the Forest of Dean were Forest and allow for the social and economic first recognised when it was declared the first improvements that appeared to be needed. The National Forest Park in Britain in 1938. In recent Countryside Agency therefore launched the years, there has been a growing concern that the Forest of Dean Integrated Rural Development special qualities of the area are being affected by Programme. new development. This was brought to a head in the mid 1990s when The Integrated Rural Development Programme it was suggested that there could be more The IRD programme was launched in 2000. Its aim quarrying in the Forest. In 1997 the new Labour was to work with local organisations and the local Government asked the new Countryside Agency community to seek to protect the environment of to consider whether the Forest of Dean needed the Forest of Dean and to promote sustainable special status to protect it. The Countryside economic development. The programme is Agency looked in detail at this question and divided into two parts. Phase 1 (2000-2003) concluded that the special qualities of the Forest involved research studies and projects. The did need to be protected. However, it felt that the purpose of the research was to get more suggested ways of doing this (for example Area of information on what makes the Forest Special. Outstanding Natural Beauty, AONB status) were Phase 2 (2003-5) is called Building on What’s not appropriate for the area and prevailing Special (BOWS). It aims to protect, develop and conditions at the time. where possible to enhance the special qualities of Special designations such as AONB aim to protect the area, and to find ways of allowing local people the landscape, but do not address needs for to benefit from them. regeneration. The Countryside Agency therefore 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:16 PM Page 6

INTRODUCTION

3. Phase 1 of the Programme - The research studies and projects in phase 1 are listed in the box below.

Forest of Dean Integrated Rural Development Programme Phase 1 of the programme contained a broad range of projects supported by the Countryside Agency: Baseline studies • Landscape Character Assessment (see page 8) and Landscape Strategy (see page 12 due Winter 2004) • Biodiversity Survey (see page 14) • Archaeology Survey (Report due in April 2005: see page 18) • Historic Landscape Assessment (This was incorporated into the Landscape Character Assessment see page 8) • Dean by Definition (the views of local people: see page 23) Local regeneration work • Tourism Study (see page 26) • Local Grants scheme: supported projects put forward by local voluntary and community groups • Environment and rural skills project: provides information and training on traditional woodworking skills, such as coppicing, pole lathe turning, charcoal burning and woodland management • The Dean Oak Exhibition: a travelling exhibition involving 39 local crafts people show-casing products and artefacts using oak cut and prepared by Forest Enterprise aimed at gauging level of interest for a sustainable local market in FoD timber • SRB6: funds projects which address the needs of young people • Support for Farmers’ Markets (where only locally produced food is sold) • Other Countryside Agency funding for small projects: e.g. support for Forest Showcase, an annual event to promote local food, crafts and other produce National programmes running in the Forest of Dean: • Rural Transport Partnership: different organisations working together to improve rural passenger transport • Parish Plans: Action plans developed by local people • Community Services Grants: a grant scheme to help rural services • Local Heritage Initiative: aims to support local communities in promoting or protecting local heritage • Millennium Greens: support for creating public green space • Market and Coastal Town Initiative: support for market towns to identify their needs and develop an action plan to meet them 5 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:16 PM Page 7

4. Phase 2 of the Programme: Building on What’s Special (BOWS) Phase 2 started in September 2003 and will finish in March 2006. This followed the suggestions made in the evaluation report on Phase 1. The BOWS programme stresses the importance of influencing organisations and working with local people. Overall its aims are to:

• Influence local organisations so that they are more effective in protecting and promoting what is special about the Forest in their policies and actions. • One of the main goals is to make sure that the information from the baseline studies from phase 1 is readily available to decision makers as well as the general public and that there is a clear understanding of all the ways in which it could be used. That is the purpose of this Guide. The goals are described in more detail in the box below.

Goals of the BOWS programme: 1. To describe clearly what is special about the Forest, through an analysis of the ‘baseline studies’. This will provide a firm basis for future decision making in the Forest of Dean 2. To help make sure that the Forest of Dean’s economy and communities develop in a way that is sustainable (that means the environment will be safeguarded while providing for human needs now and in the future) 3. To encourage the area’s planning authorities to protect and improve what is special about the Forest of Dean’s landscape and environment 4. To encourage a wide range of other organisations to better protect, manage and improve what is special about the Forest of Dean’s culture, economy, heritage and biodiversity 5. To find out whether a programme like this can really safeguard the special qualities of the area adequately by co operation and voluntary agreement as opposed to ‘special status’ (such as AONB) for the Forest of Dean 6. To draw out lessons for possible wider use in rural England, including advice on the value of this approach for managing protecting and improving special landscapes and, more generally, the management of ‘local special-ness’ For more information on the BOWS programme, contact Ben Ward, the BOWS Programme Officer: phone 01594 812609 • email [email protected] 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 8

INTRODUCTION

5. Detailed Studies Detailed research (called "baseline studies") Amenity/ has been conducted considering: conservation Non-wooded woodland and areas: glades • Landscape, including a district wide ‘Magical’ and wildlife and field record of existing landscape character, tranquil qualities patterns and as well as an assessment of historic wildlife landscapes in the county. • Biodiversity, a continuing survey Dialect, art, Economic timber gathering information on wildlife species literature and production (plants, animals etc) and habitats (areas festivals with different types of vegetation). • Archaeology, an ongoing survey collating information on historical remains and features. Rail, main road, • Dean by Definition, local people’s scenic by-way, Everyday ideas of the special qualities of the area. ancient routeway, industrial activity Research has also been done into the bridleway, footpath potential for tourism development based and river on the special qualities of the area.

The rest of this Guide explains what sort of Unique legal information is contained within the reports rights and Sense of and how the information and the reports traditions expressed exploration and could be used. in contemporary between-ness practices and 6. A Working Forest artefacts A useful way to understand "what is special" 'Typical' Settlement products of the about the Forest of Dean is to see the area pattern reflects a Forest–both as a traditional forest. This means that there Historic legacy of historic timber and food practices is a combination of wild and natural places as industrial well as human activity and traditions. This is heritage shown in the diagram opposite taken from the BOWS strategy. 7 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 9

7. Landscape Character Assessment Background: In February 2002 the Countryside Agency in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and Forest of Dean District Council, appointed Landscape Design Associates to carry out a full landscape character The Forest of Dean is well known for its natural assessment of the Forest of Dean District. beauty and amenity value, but perhaps less so for The study was published in two volumes: Forest of Dean District Landscape Character the great diversity of landscapes it possesses. Assessment and Forest of Dean District Landscape Strategy. The combination of woodland, pasture, arable What is it? land, hills, ridges, scarp slopes, vales, valleys and Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a riverine landscape all contribute to a dramatically formal method for describing different types of landscape. It does not make judgements varied landscape. on the quality of the landscape, it just names and describes the different types based on physical characteristics, (such as geology and the shape of the land), natural characteristics, (such as plants and woodland), and cultural features, (such as archaeology, how the land is used and building styles). The Landscape Character Assessment also looks at how the landscape has been affected by the geology, landform (the shape of the land) and biodiversity (wildlife), and human influences from the Stone Age to the present day. It also shows that there are many cultural links with the landscape, and that it has inspired famous writers, poets and artists. One important message from the study is that what makes a landscape special is not LANDSCAPE just how pretty it is, but also its trees and wildlife, its history, what people think about it, what people do there, and less definable qualities like peace and remoteness. 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 10

LANDSCAPE

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Since World War Two change to the landscape of the Forest of Dean has been more rapid than at any time in the district’s long history and this has been driven by a diverse and increasingly international range of forces.

Housing represents the main pressure for built development in the district and although the Forest of Dean has the second lowest figure for net additional dwelling provision for the plan period 1991 –2011 in Gloucestershire (second only to the Cotswolds) it needs to accommodate approximately 6,950 dwellings. This represents approximately 13% of the County total of 53,000 dwellings. 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 12

What information does it contain Example: Description of one The LCA contains information about: of the Landscape Character • The geology of the Forest of Dean District. Rocks Types (Ridges and Valleys) from seven main geological periods are present in the Features Character areas area, many of which contain important fossil deposits Distinctive rounded ridge profiles Allaston Ridge • The landform (shape of the land), and how it is linked rising above the neighbouring vale to the geology landscape and bordering the wooded syncline. • The history of the Forest of Dean, and how human The north-south orientation of Littledean Ridge activity has affected the landscape the ridges is emphasised by hedgerow patterns and small Edge Hill • Most importantly, it describes the different types of copses on steeper slopes. landscape, called Landscape Character Types Mosaic of mixed farmland Breakheart Hill and woodland. The Landscape Character Assessment was informed by parallel studies on biodiversity, archaeology and Dean by Distinctive ‘squatter’ settlements on the upper slopes close to Definition as well as by a separate Historic Landscape existing woodland. Assessment. Extensive views over the The Forest of Dean Landscape Character Assessment surrounding lowlands. records the specific character of fifteen landscape Redundant quarries are located character types and forty-two landscape character areas. throughout the landscape, many of which are Sites of Specific Scientific Landscape Character Types are distinct types of Interest (SSSI) because of their landscape that are relatively alike in character. They may nature conservation value. occur in different parts of the country, but wherever they Numerous transportation routes occur they share broadly similar combinations of geology, follow the valleys created by streams landform, drainage patterns, vegetation, historical land and brooks, often accompanied by linear settlements. use and settlement pattern. By comparison landscape Range of species rich grassland, heath character areas are single, unique areas and are the and bog, old orchards and ancient discrete geographical areas of a particular landscape type. semi-natural woodland habitats. How can this information be used? Although we all have a feeling about landscape and why it is important, it is not always easy to say precisely why, or to define what we want to protect. The LCA gives precise definitions of different types of landscape, and lists the qualities of each. It therefore provides specific information that can be used by policy makers, land owners and managers, and local people to define what they want to protect. The Landscape Strategy (see the next section) will suggest how this information can be used to make sure that the right things are done to protect these special areas. 11 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 13

8. Landscape Strategy What is it? The Landscape Strategy is the second stage of the realise the tourism potential of the landscape and Landscape Character Assessment. It looks at how the natural environment without having a negative impact information collected about each type of landscape on the environment generally can be used by policy makers and land managers to • Climate change. This is the change to our climate that protect, restore, and enhance the landscape. A draft occurs partly as a result of human use of fossil fuels landscape strategy has been produced. The BOWS such as oil and coal. It could have a number of effects programme is now working with the district and on the landscape county planning departments to identify development control and planning elements of the strategy which The Landscape Strategy will make detailed suggestions in combination with the Landscape Character on the implications for each of the Landscape Character Assessment can be used to create a supplementary Types. planning document on landscape within the new How can this information be used? planning framework.Those elements of the draft strategy which do not fall within the planning The Landscape Strategy identifies the forces for change framework but relate more to land managment roles that could have a negative affect on the special qualities will continue to be developed with stakeholders. of the Forest of Dean. It then describes what needs to be done to protect each of the different types of What information will it contain? landscape described in the Landscape Character Assessment. The Landscape Strategy looks at the forces for change acting on the landscape. This means what There are many ways that the Landscape Strategy is having an effect, or could have an effect on the could be used. These are listed in the following landscape. It then looks at how the landscape could sections: change as a result. The main forces for change examined in the Strategy are: Land Use Planning: • Towns, villages and buildings: new building, • By planning authorities working with developers to and particularly expansion of settlements make sure their proposals reflect and enhance local • Roads, railways, energy and communication landscape character infrastructure • Informing the siting, spacing, scale and design • Mineral extraction and landfill conditions made by planning authorities for particular forms of development such as housing and mineral • Agriculture and land management extraction • Forestry and woodland management and use • Assisting studies of development potential, for • Tourism and recreation. A particular issue is how to instance to help identify sites for new development 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 14

LANDSCAPE

• Contributing to landscape capacity studies relating Government Agencies: Community Groups: to the supply of land for housing, minerals and • Helping organisations such as the Countryside • Contributing to local projects and initiatives such other uses Agency, the Environment Agency, the Department as Village Design Statements, Parish Plans and • Providing a framework and context for Local for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Community Action Plans Development Frameworks the Forestry Commission, English Nature and any • Helping to improve pride in local distinctiveness new emerging agencies to prioritise and target • Informing Parish Plans and awareness of landscape issues action through grants and funding initiatives • Informing Local Development Strategies and • Helping to identify opportunities for community Community Strategies Land Owners and Managers: action Landscape Conservation, Management • Helping land owners and managers decide land • Assisting local communities in securing funding and Enhancement: management issues and long term planning for environmental projects • Providing a basis for the preparation of landscape • Targeting funds to achieve optimal landscape management studies benefits • Helping to guide landscape change in positive and sustainable ways, e.g. programmes of woodland Developers: expansion • Encouraging developers to adopt creative solutions • Informing the targeting of resource for land-based for integrating development into existing schemes which encourage land managers landscapes including considering scale (the size (particularly farmers and foresters) through financial of the development in relation to what is already incentives to adopt environmentally beneficial land there), layout (where buildings are placed) and management practices relationships to existing developments and field patterns • Encouraging developers to use local building materials, building styles, native species and other features characteristic of a particular landscape to strengthen the qualities that make the area special

For more information on the Forest of Dean Landscape Character Assessment contact Alastair Chapman the Countryside Officer, Forest of Dean District Council: phone 01594 812329 email [email protected] For more information on the Landscape Strategy contact Ben Ward, the BOWS Programme Officer: phone 01594 812609 email [email protected] 13 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:17 PM Page 15

9. The Forest of Dean Biodiversity Project

The Forest of Dean is Britain’s premier Oak Forest. As one of England’s largest forests, it is big enough to offer secluded quiet corners despite the huge number of visitors, while at the same time providing for fragile wildlife. Important heathland fragments remain within the now largelylargely forestedforested landscapelandscape andand apartapart fromfrom heatherheather supportsupport other characteristic species such as “bog asphodel” and the elusive “nightjar” The extensive man made underground mine systems that exist within the district have been crucial in supporting the internationally important horseshoe bat populations. Approximately 10% of the Forest of Dean District is covered by Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSIs) compared to a national average of 8% BIODIVERSITY 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:18 PM Page 16

BIODIVERSITY

What is it? The project looked in detail at a number of the important species (animals and plants) and habitats (areas with different types of vegetation) in the Forest.

The list is shown in the box below.

Important habitats • Ancient semi-natural Woodland • Other Woodland • Hedgerows • Semi-natural Grassland • Daffodil Meadows • Heathland • Parkland and Veteran Trees • Orchards (current distribution)

Important species • Dormouse • Otter • Water Vole • Horseshoe bats • Invertebrates (e.g. insects and butterflies)

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What information does it contain?

The study summarises data on each habitat and species. The study looks at: • Where they are distributed within the District (and shows how this information links with the different types of landscape described in the Landscape Character Assessment) • Size of sites and overall area where they can be found • How connected or broken up the different sites are • Their condition and vulnerability to damage, neglect or change • Relative importance on a European, national, regional, county and local level • How the habitat extent or species population is changing

The study found that many of the habitats and species are of European and national significance.

The study also includes a list of priority areas for action to protect each of the species and habitats. 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:18 PM Page 18

BIODIVERSITY

How can this information be used? GCER is managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and supported by the wildlife trust, Local It is important that the available information on biodiversity is widely used. The study itself Authorities and number of national and local summarises the information available, but the full set of data is held by the Gloucestershire organisations. GCER relies heavily on Centre for Environmental Records (GCER). See box below for contact details. volunteers collecting records, principally through Gloucestershire Naturalist Society.

The study suggests how organisations, landowners and the community should use the data, this is summarised below.

• Local authorities should use the information to inform development control planning decisions, in policy development, in the community planning process, in the management of its own land, and encouraging others in the management of their land

• Landowners and managers including the Forestry Commission and conservation organisations should use the information in managing their own land to protect and enhance biodiversity

• Land management grants should be targeted at priority areas identified in the study

• The Community should use the information in the community planning process and in local action. A means by which detailed information can be accessed by local communities is under development as there is normally a processing fee to gain access to this data. Some of the information held by GCER is sensitive i.e. rare species; therefore access needs to be controlled.

GCER can be contacted on: phone 01453 822761 [email protected]. Due to limited resources GCER is currently unable to respond to general enquiries from members of the public.

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10. Forest of Dean Archaeology Survey

Did you know that the Forest The central forest and Wye Valley were of Dean has fewer known archaeological sites for most periods than any other part of one of the cradles of the Industrial Gloucestershire, with the district encompassing approximately 20% of the Revolution and there are many county land area and yet only containing 7% hundreds of largely unscheduled sites of the county’s scheduled Ancient Monuments. While this may be due to of archaeological importance limited settlement and exploitation, more likely is that the district has been under- researched for some time, in part caused by dense woodland, restricting field walking, aerial photography and geophysical survey.

What is it? There are four stages to the survey: Stage 1: desk-based data collection and integration with the County Sites and Monuments Record Stage 2: pilot field survey (mainly to look at how to identify and interpret archaeology in woodland). Stage 3: extensive prospecting field survey. Stage 4: report including recommendations to take the results of the project forward at a community level.

The survey is currently in Stage 2. A report will be produced summarising the main findings from Stage 1 & 2 in April 2005. Stages 3 & 4 will run when funding is available. ARCHAEOLOGY 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:18 PM Page 20

ARCHAEOLOGY

How can this information be used?

The results of the Archaeological Survey are fully integrated into the existing County Sites and Monuments Record. This database of over 20,000 sites and areas of archaeological interest is the principal source of archaeological information for the county and its main role is the provision of information and advice to secure the protection and management of the archaeology of the county, through the strategic and development-control planning processes, and through the provision of archaeological advice to a wide range of enquirers. It is used on a daily basis in the following ways:

Land use planning: ● Assisting heritage organisations, such as English Heritage in the appropriate management and protection of ● By planning authorities working with developers to make recognised archaeological features sure their proposals reflect and enhance local landscape character, and take account of archaeological deposits Management, Conservation and ● Informing the siting, spacing, scale and design conditions Enhancement of the landscape made by planning authorities for particular forms of and the built environment: development, such as housing and mineral extraction ● Providing baseline data to inform the preparation of ● Assisting studies of development potential, by identifying archaeological assessments and other landscape sites and areas where development is inappropriate management studies

● Contributing to landscape capacity studies relating to the ● Helping to guide landscape change and other supply of land for housing, minerals and other uses development in positive and sustainable ways

● Providing a framework and context for Parish Plans and ● Helping to guide land management and other Local Development Frameworks development in positive and sustainable ways

● Providing baseline data to ensure that recognised, or suspected archaeological deposits are protected where Landowners and Managers: this can be controlled through the planning process ● Assisting land owners and land managers in decisions relating to forward planning of long-term land Government Agencies: management ● Advising and working with government agencies such as Developers: the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission to both prioritise and target ● Advising developers to ensure that development does not action through grants and funding initiatives, and meet have an adverse impact on visible elements of the historic their own heritage management targets environment and the buried archaeological resource

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Community Groups:

● Contributing to local heritage projects and initiatives

● Helping to raise awareness of the local heritage, in the form of the visible landscape, the built environment and buried archaeological remains

● Helping to identify opportunities for community heritage initiatives

● Assisting local communities in securing funding for heritage projects

Education

● Providing information on the archaeology of the County which can be used to inform education initiatives

Researchers

● Providing information for researchers (amateur, professional and academic) into areas of the County’s archaeology. The results of research projects, in turn, feed back information into the Sites & Monuments Record database leading to its greater value as a tool for the uses outlined above

Darkhill Ironworks, near Coleford 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:18 PM Page 22

ARCHAEOLOGY

11. Survey of early iron industry sites

Background:

The Scowles and Associated Early Iron Industry project was undertaken by the Archaeology Service of Gloucestershire County Council's Environment Department, between January 2003 and March 2004. This survey was a daughter project of the Forest of Dean Archaeological survey and the results have been integrated into the County Sites and Monuments Record in exactly the same way as the results of the above. It was funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund administered by English Heritage.

What is it? ● Raise awareness on the existence of these sites

The project looked at: ● Encourage the scheduling or application of another Scowles, a landscape feature, ranging from deep appropriate conservation designation, to selected irregular quarry-like features to shallow hollows, are scowles and identified smelting sites to afford them unique to the Forest of Dean. They have traditionally statutory protection been interpreted as the remains of early opencast iron ore extraction, although recent geological research has ● Ensure that any activities detrimental to the sites suggested that they had their origins as a natural are not permitted where these can be controlled subterranean cave system, which was exposed by through the planning process geological action over 150 million years ago. ● Providing archaeological information to inform What information does it contain? strategies towards an integrated management of The project report describes the different forms of these features. This will be achieved through scowles, and the ideas on how they were created. It discussion between all relevant conservation then looks at the pre-industrial revolution smelting sites agencies such as Gloucestershire County Council Scowles at Puzzle Wood. These features are found on that have been identified. It lists the available evidence Archaeology Service, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust either side of the central Forest with other well-known of the pre-industrial revolution iron industry in the Forest and Gloucestershire Geoconservation Trust examples at Noxon Park and Devil’s Chapel, Bream of Dean. It describes the current condition of scowles and smelting sites, and suggests how they should be managed. It also lists more research that is needed. Gloucester County Sites and Monuments Record contains current archaeological information for the Forest of Dean. To access the information, contact the Sites How can this information be used? and Monuments Record Officer, Tim Grubb on 01452 425705. The report suggests that scowles and the smelting sites need to be protected. In addition to the applications of For more information on the survey or scowles project please contact archaeological information mentioned above there are a Jon Hoyle on 01452 426245 or Jan Wills on 01452 425683 or online at number of specific ways in which this information could www.gloscc.gov.uk/archaeology/fod be used: 21 93260

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WHAT MAKES THE brochure FOREST OF DEAN SPECIAL?

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12. Deanby Definition photography, artandwriting. included creativeprojectsusingvideo, hard topindown.Thatiswhytheproject the character, ortheatmospherewhichare the answersare“intangible”:qualitieslike special” abouttheForest ofDeanisthat is One problemwithtryingtosay“what 12/10/04

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WHAT MAKES THE FOREST OF DEAN SPECIAL?

What is it? Dean by Definition used many methods to find out what local people think about the Forest of Dean. This included: face to face interviews, (over 1,200 people interviewed on a one-to- one basis); photography and video, artistic and writing projects; stands at around 50 local events and meetings, and a web-site. It even persuaded pub-goers to record their views on beer-mats. The project tried hard to reach out to those social groups which are usually under represented in such research.

The results of the research are compiled in two reports: What Makes the Forest of Dean Special: Final Report to the Countryside Agency, 2002 (Phase 1) and Final Report Extended Evaluation and Feedback (Phase 2), April 2003. Additional information on the project, including audio and video footage is available on two CDs.

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Wooly Yudded Varest Ship Thee’s got more rights than I Thee co’st wander where thees please Where I must pass on by Thee can't be ‘aif as stupid as you do vust appear ‘Cause no one ever bothers thee Or so it do appear If thee da lie down in the road An’ ‘ave theeself a kip No one ever moves thee on ‘Cause thee bist varest ship Thee do’sn’t work ta get thee bread The do’sn’t rise at seven If I was free as thee be free I'd think I was in ‘eaven Wooly yudded varest ship I wish I was one too Then I could wander through the Woods Side by side with you Keith Morgan 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:18 PM Page 26

WHAT MAKES THE FOREST OF DEAN SPECIAL?

What information does it contain? How can this information be used The reports give the answers to specific questions, The Phase 1 report suggests that the information and analyses how views differ in different parts of could be used to: the District and between different types of people. ● Promote the area (for example through The questions asked were: photographs) ● Influence local politicians, funders and the media ● What is special about the Forest of Dean? ● Educate The reports show that most people thought that the area is special because of ● Share information with other similar areas a mixture of people and the place. It gives ● Ask more questions: eg what is different from some examples of “people” and “place” other forest areas? qualities. ● Help target resources to protect what is special ● To help attract funding ● What places, events, or ways of life make the Forest special? The reports give ● Keep involving local people examples of the kind of answers given. ● Inform consultation events (by using the video)

● ● What needs to be improved? The report Provide information for Parish Plans or Market Town Plans gives examples of common dislikes. ● Focus on key parishes rather than the whole District

More information All the documents and CDs on the Dean by Definition project can be found in the Forest of Dean public libraries. All the documents, photographs, videos and tapes from the project are kept at the Dean Heritage Museum (phone 01594 822170 email [email protected]) and can be accessed there.

For more information, contact Ben Ward, the BOWS Programme Officer: phone 01594 812609 email [email protected]

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BUILDING ON THE SPECIAL QUALITIES

What is it? The Study is a detailed analysis of the current tourism performance in the District, and opportunities for improvement.

The Study was commissioned by the Forest of Dean District Council, the Countryside Agency and the South West Regional Development Agency. It was completed in June 2002.

What information does it contain? The study contains detailed suggestions for improving tourism in the District.

These suggestions look at key communities and practical projects, centred around tourism development and marketing themes, actions and priorities.

The Study says that Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney and Newent are key communities for tourism development. It points out that in order to persuade visitors to stay rather than just pass through, their Beechenhurst receives approximately 225,000 visitors needs should be met in the towns and villages. It contains specific suggestions for improving the four per annum while Symonds Yat receives 200,000! towns and their surrounding areas. Camping and caravanning accounts for 39% of staying Details of practical projects are contained in the Study visitors while self-catering represents just 6%. Tourism and include imaginative and appropriate ideas such as is worth about £94 million per annum to the Forest of the Canopy Walks project and the development of an historic country house hotel. For each project, there Dean and directly employs about 2000 people with is information on employment and economic benefits, and what impacts they will have on the environment another 400 indirectly employed and transport.

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BUILDING ON THE SPECIAL QUALITIES

The partners who produced the Study - the Forest of Dean District Council, the South West Regional Development Agency and the Countryside Agency - have already used the information to produce a tourism strategy and action plan which runs from 2003-2008.

It will also be useful to local businesses or organisations who wish to promote tourism in a way that protects the environment and benefits local people. It will be particularly useful for developing plans for the four key communities: Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney and Newent.

The Tourism Study, Strategy and Action Plan can be found on www.forestofdean.gov.uk by following the menu on the left hand side. More information on the Study, Strategy and Action Plan can be obtained from:

Nicola Greaves the Tourism Officer at Forest of Dean District Council phone 01594 812389 email [email protected]

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14. Why is the information important?

More detailed information on how each Study can be used is included at the end of each relevant section.

Together, the studies described in this Guide give a detailed description of what is special about the Forest of Dean. This information can help protect those special qualities in a number of ways:

● It provides specific information on the landscape, wildlife and historical resources which defines what needs to be protected ● It shows which parts of the landscape, wildlife and historical resources are vulnerable to development and which therefore need special attention ● It gives guidance for planners, land managers and developers on land management and how future development should be undertaken to protect landscape, wildlife and historical resources ● It provides an information resource for local communities to ensure that development and action plans for their area protect and enhance landscape, wildlife and historical resources

IN THE STUDIES ● It provides an information resource for those developing the Community Strategy and local action plans to ensure that the plans protect what is special while providing for the future needs of local people. The Tourism study and strategy in particular provide detailed suggestions on sustainable tourism USING THE INFORMATION which builds on the strengths of the Forest 93260 FoD brochure KKM 12/10/04 2:19 PM Page 32

USING THE INFORMATION 15. The Planning System One of the main opportunities to influence how the area Right now (Nov 04) the system is changing. The develops is through the planning system. This is done changes mean that instead of a single Local Plan there through a system of development plans which contain will be a number of different planning documents. There rules about where and how the area can be developed. will also be other requirements for local authorities on At the moment there is a Structure Plan for the whole how they develop the new documents. of Gloucestershire and a Local Plan for the Forest of Dean. There are a number of ways that the baseline ● When the new documents are developed, they will studies can be used in the planning process: be able to draw on the baseline studies to inform policies on protecting landscape, wildlife and ● When decisions are made on planning applications, historical resources the Local Plan requires that the Council takes account of its effects on landscape, wildlife and ● There will be a "Statement of Community historical resources. The baseline studies provide Involvement" which says how the District Council information to inform this process and ensure that will involve the local community in developing the important or vulnerable elements are addressed new documents. The information from the baselines studies, and particularly from Dean by ● When development is approved, the siting, spacing, Definition, can provide a basis for community scale and design conditions made by planning involvement authorities can draw on the information in the studies ● There is a requirement for a sustainability appraisal of the new documents . This means that the ● When new sites for development are being Council will test what effect the documents will identified, the baseline studies can provide have on social, economic and environmental information to inform the choice conditions in the area. The baseline studies will help in this testing process ● When local development frameworks are being written, the baseline studies can provide important background information

For more information on the new planning system see: www.odpm.gov.uk and follow the link to “planning”. This includes details of the new system (which includes the requirement for sustainability appraisal) and separate information on the requirement for undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

For questions about land use planning in the Forest of Dean contact: Forest of Dean District Council 01594 810000

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The Forest of Dean What’s Special

For more information about the Integrated Rural Development Programme contact the BOWS Programme Officer on 01594 812609

Designed by SOZO - www.sozodesign.co.uk. Thanks to Chris Morris for use of his photos.