Forest of Dean District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011

Lydney Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011 | Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report

Contents

1 Introduction 4

2 Policy Context 5 National 5 County 6

3 The Forest of Dean District 9 Introduction 9 Historical Background 10 Socio-economic Context 12 Economic Context 13 Landscape and Heritage 14 Planning Policy Context 15 Transport and Movement 16

4 Lydney 17 Introduction 17 Historical Background 17 Socio-economic Context 19 Planning Policy 20 Audit of Planning Permissions 22 National Land Use Database 25 Natural Heritage 25 Built Heritage 30 Townscape and Green Spaces 44 Transport and Movement 55 Sport, Leisure and Recreational Facilities 57 Health, Education and Community Facilities 58 Commercial, Retail and Business Context 59

5 Lydney Area Action Plan 62 Introduction 62 Land Use Survey 62 Flood Risk 63 Contamination 64

6 Constraints and Opportunities 66 Weakness and Constraints 66 Forest of Dean District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011 | Lydney Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report

Contents

Strengths and Opportunities 66

7 Conclusions 67

8 References and Resources 68 Forest of Dean District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011 | Lydney Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report

1 . Introduction

1 Introduction 1.6 The next stage in the process will be to carry out a consultation and to develop an issues and options paper. This paper will be the subject of a consultation. Taking the responses of the 1.1 This baseline report has been prepared by the Forest of Dean District Council to review consultation and other evidence into account, the council will develop a preferred options paper. the issues that affect the Lydney area. The purpose of this report is to highlight and identify the This paper will be the subject of a second consultation. Following this, the council will prepare a strengths and weakness of Lydney and to provide a sound basis for the preparation of the Lydney draft Area Action Plan. This will again be the subject of a further consultation, before being Area Action Plan. submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for an independent examination. If the Area Action Plan is found to be satisfactory, the council will adopt the Area Action Plan. 1.2 Lydney Area Action Plan is one of a portfolio of planning policy documents called the Local Development Framework. The main document in the Local Development Framework will be the 1.7 This report will review the national and local context of the Forest of Dean District and Forest of Dean District Core Strategy. The Core Strategy is an overarching planning policy Lydney. This report will focus in particular on: document that sets out the broad principles for the sustainable development of the Forest of Dean District. The Core Strategy has already gone through three public consultations and following a The national and county policy context fourth consultation, an independent examination will be carried out by an inspector appointed by The Forest of Dean context the government. The Council will then adopt the Core Strategy. The Lydney Area Action Plan must be in accordance with the Core Strategy. The Lydney context 1.3 An Area Action Plan (AAP) is a planning policy document which is focused on a specific The AAP area - in particular, the boundary of the AAP, flood risk and contamination issues. location or area, which is the subject of conservation or significant change. This can include a major regeneration project or a growth area. An Area Action Plan should provide the mechanism for ensuring development of a type, scale and mix that is appropriate to the opportunities or level 1.8 Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this document is accurate. of change or conservation required in that area. An Area Action Plan should protect areas that If you notice any omissions or errors or would like to discuss the Area Action Plan process, please are sensitive to change and resolve conflicting objectives in areas that are the subject of contact the Forward Plan team at Forest of Dean District Council. development and change.

1.4 The purpose of the Lydney Area Action Plan is set out in the draft Forest of Dean District Contact Details Core Strategy. The draft Core Strategy states Address:

Policy CSP13 Forward Plan Forest of Dean District Council Within the area of the proposed Area Action Plan, a new mixed form of development will be High Street promoted, using mainly under utilised land and redeveloping or adapting redundant buildings Coleford to form an area between the Harbour and the town centre containing recreation, employment and housing together with links to an improved town centre and the existing and new public GL16 8HG recreation spaces. The plan will include proposals for improvements to the mainline station. Land within this area will be allocated for up to 200 dwellings, mixed employment, recreation Webpage: http://www.fdean.gov.uk/go/lydneyaap and tourism/leisure uses together with retailing (at the town centre). Telephone: 01594 810000

1.5 The baseline report is the first step in preparing the Lydney Area Action Plan. It identifies Email: [email protected] the issues affecting Lydney and highlights the local context. It focuses on factual information and at this point, no detailed decisions have been made about the future of Lydney. Broad policies in relation to Lydney are set out in the draft Core Strategy. This report will provide a basis for further debate and for the development of policies. As new issues and information emerge during the process, the baseline report can be expanded and revised.

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2 . Policy Context

2 Policy Context Green Belts

2.1 The Area Action Plan is one document in an integrated hierarchy of planning documents Telecommunications that relate to and cross reference each other. The upper level of this hierarchy comprises of Planning Policy Statements, which are formulated by the government and create a context for Transport planning and development across the country. This is followed by county and district level policies. Development on Unstable Land The county level plans relate to waste and minerals development and an overall policy for the county. The district level plan, the Core Strategy, sets out the overarching principles for other Planning for Open Space, Play and Recreation forms of development within the district. An Area Action Plan provides specific policies for a relatively limited area and ought to be consistent with the higher levels of policy in the hierarchy. Enforcing Planning Control 2.2 The planning policy hierarchy is currently being reviewed by the national government. Coastal Planning

National Planning and Noise. 2.3 National planning policy is set out in Planning Policy Statements, which are gradually replacing Planning Policy Guidance. These documents outline the government's general policy 2.5 As these documents are very broad and relate to general principles, which are reiterated and indicate which issues should be considered and addressed by planning policies further down and are inherent in planning policy at all levels of the hierarchy, there is no need to repeat the the hierarchy. Some of the documents relate to broad issues such as sustainability, while others contents of these documents in this report. These documents are available online at relate to specific issues such as flooding. www.communities.gov.uk

2.4 In total there are 12 Planning Policy Statements and 8 remaining Planning Policy Guidance 2.6 It is useful, however, to refer to one of the key principles of planning policy: notes relating to:

Sustainable Development and Climate Change Sustainable development is the core principle underpinning planning. At the heart of sustainable development is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, Housing now and for future generations. A widely used definition was drawn up by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: "development that meets the present Sustainable Economic Growth without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Heritage The Government set out four aims for sustainable development in its 1999 strategy. These are: Planning for Town Centres Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone; Rural Areas Effective protection of the environment; Biodiversity and Geology The prudent use of natural resources; and, Sustainable Waste Management The maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. Local Spatial Planning

Renewable Energy PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development, pg 2

Pollution Control

Flooding and Coastal Change

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2 . Policy Context

2.7 As the Area Action Plan will be one in a hierarchy of plans, the abolition of the Regional Considering the need for local infrastructure and community services Spatial Strategy is pertinent to this report. The government have announced that the Regional Spatial Strategy will be abolished and that this is a material consideration for planning authorities. High standards of design Although the Regional Spatial Strategy will not be part of the planning policy hierarchy, the evidence on which the strategy was formulated still remains. The draft Core Strategy extensively uses this evidence, without relying on the Regional Spatial Strategy. It should also be noted that the policies contained in the Regional Spatial Strategy were a regional expression of the national policies set The strategy for the Forest of Dean is one of continuing restraint in the northern part of the out in the Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance. Forest; whilst in the southern part of the Forest the strategy is one of encouraging economic regeneration. In the southern part of the Forest it is envisaged that the majority of development 2.8 Essentially, although the Regional Spatial Strategy will be abolished, the evidence created will take place in or adjacent to the principal settlements of , Lydney and Coleford to support this strategy is still valid and has made an important contribution to the formulation of in accordance with other policies. The southern part of the Forest has traditionally been an the Core Strategy and ultimately, will make a contribution to the Lydney Area Action Plan. area of growth in order to encourage economic regeneration. This forms a sub-strategy for the area, which is to encourage investment and increase the population base to broaden the County labour supply and skills, and encourage growth in the service sector. Consequently, the strategy includes a significantly higher level of housing than that forecast. 2.9 Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for policy relating to minerals and waste and for the County Structure Plan. Gloucestershire County Council is in the process of preparing a Section 5.7.3 Gloucestershire County Structure Plan Waste Core Strategy and a Minerals Core Strategy. The Minerals Core Strategy is due for adoption in December 2013 and the Waste Core Strategy is due for adoption in January 2012. This section of the report will look a the current policy, set out in the Minerals and Waste Local Gloucestershire Minerals Local Plan Plans and the County Structure Plan and at the work carried out to date on the Minerals Core 2.12 The current Minerals Local Plan(2) acknowledges the need to balance a supply of building Strategy and the Waste Core Strategy. materials and the coal mining heritage of the Forest of Dean with the need to protect the Gloucestershire County Structure Plan environment from damaging development.

2.10 The Gloucestershire County Structure Plan(1) runs until 2011 and provides a context for 2.13 The plan proposes additional land for aggregates mineral working in the Forest of Dean the six Local Plans covering Gloucestershire, including the Forest of Dean Local Plan. County at the following locations: Structure Plans were phased out by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and were East of Stowe Hill/Clearwell Quarry due to be superseded by Regional Spatial Strategies, which will now also be abolished.

2.11 The Structure Plan emphasises sustainable development and the main policies refer to: West of Drybrook Quarry

Maintaining and enhancing the predominance of and Cheltenham as the focus North and East of Stowfield Quarry for development 2.14 Open cast coal extraction and the disposal of colliery spoil is permitted, if it complies with Focusing development in existing built up areas criteria that protect the environment and tourism in the Forest of Dean. Policy EM2 is of particular relevance to the mining heritage of the Forest of Dean. Limited development in rural areas

Strictly controlled development in the open countryside Policy EM2: Proposals for small-scale coal underground mines, which contribute to the cultural Protecting natural and built heritage and industrial heritage of the Forest of Dean will be permitted where they are environmentally acceptable in accordance with the other relevant policies of this Plan.

1 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3383 2 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1167

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2 . Policy Context

Gloucestershire Waste Local Plan Gloucestershire Waste Core Strategy

2.15 The Gloucestershire Waste Local Plan(3) aims to ensure the sustainable management of 2.19 The final stage of consultation on the draft Waste Core Strategy is imminent. Further waste, to reduce the amount of waste produced and to encourage the recycling and reuse of details of the consultation are available on the Gloucestershire County Council website. waste. The plan also aims to ensure that waste management facilities are located on brownfield (6) land and do not impact on designated landscape and natural heritage sites or on public amenity. 2.20 The draft Waste Core Strategy does not include any strategic sites in the Forest of The plan also refers to the 'proximity principle', which refers to the need to reduce the distance Dean. Two local sites were identified at the 'site options stage' of the process in Lydney: that waste travels to be processed, giving this plan a very local dimension. Lydney Industrial Estate 2.16 The Waste Local Plan identifies potential 'local' (under 50,000 tonnes) waste management sites in the Forest of Dean District. These sites are located at: Hurst Farm

Forest Vale Industrial Estate, Cinderford 2.21 These sites are considered to have the potential to accommodate small scale waste Canal Works, Lydney facilities, if required or to provide supporting waste infrastructure, such as waste transfer station. Although, these sites are not listed as strategic at this stage, they may be included in future policy Lydney Industrial Estate documents dealing with local sites.

Wilderness Quarry, Mitcheldean

2.17 The Canal Works site accommodates an existing metals recycling facility and waste transfer station and has the potential to accommodate materials recovery, household recycling and anerobic digestion. Gloucestershire County Council is assessing a planning application for the expansion of this facility (application reference: 10/0098/FDMAJW)(4). The Lydney Industrial Estate accommodates existing inert landfill and has potential to accommodate waste to energy, materials recovery, inert recovery and recycling, metals recycling, household recycling, anerobic digestion, a waste transfer station and composting.

Gloucestershire Mineral Core Strategy

2.18 The Mineral Core Strategy(5)has not yet been adopted. The 'preferred options' stage, which sets out the broad principles for the strategy, has been completed. The 'preferred options' document proposes a shift in policy emphasis, which acknowledges the importance of reusing and recycling construction and demolition materials over continued primary extraction. Primary extraction will still be required, however, to meet the proposed targets of the plan. The draft plan acknowledges that some existing quarries in the Forest may need to be expanded and that freeminers' rights should be supported. There is a presumption against open cast coal working in the Forest, unless certain criteria are satisfied.

3 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1167 4 http://planning.gloucestershire.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LBX9T5HN01600&searchtype=WEEKLY 5 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14094 6 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13349

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2 . Policy Context

Potential waste sites in Lydney

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

3 The Forest of Dean District

Introduction

3.1 The Forest of Dean district is located on the western periphery of the county of Gloucestershire in the South West Region and shares a boundary with Wales. It is a rural district, with large areas of forest and a number of small towns and settlements.

3.2 The Forest of Dean district takes its name from the Forest of Dean itself, which forms a large part of the central core of the district and comprises its largest landscape feature. Other major landscape features in the district include the Wye Valley and the Severn Estuary. Although the Wye Valley, the Severn Estuary and the Forest of Dean make major contributions to the landscape and attractiveness of the area, these features also act as physical barriers.

3.3 There are no large urban centres in the Forest of Dean district. The Forest of Dean district has four market towns; Lydney, Newent, Cinderford and Coleford. Newent is the smallest town and Cinderford and Coleford each have a population in the region of 8,000. With a population closer to 9,000, Lydney is the largest of the four market towns. Lydney is located outside of the statutory forest area and is the best connected of the four market towns, as it is located on a major A road and is served by rail.

3.4 The Forest of Dean district is heavily influenced by both Wales and the West Midlands, both of which adjoin the district. Although some parts of the district are very close to Gloucester, others are influenced by , Newport and Hereford. There are also a number of small towns outside the district, which have an effect on the area, including Ledbury, Ross on Wye, and . Each of these towns have a larger population than Lydney, the largest and closest being Chepstow, with a population of approximately 14,000.

3.5 Although the Forest of Dean has many attractive and unique physical assets, it is also relatively peripheral and quite poorly connected to the wider area. It suffers many of the issues typical of rural areas, such as an ageing population and a lack of affordable housing.

Forest of Dean District

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

and was known as the vert. This area was owned by the Crown and governed by forest law. Freeminers had the right to extract coal, iron ore and stone from the forest, subject to the payment of royalties. These rights were formalised during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

3.9 Between 1611 and 1613, the Crown allowed the first charcoal blast furnaces to be built in the forest. This industry grew quickly and within a generation 12 blast furnaces and 13 substantial forges were set up. This industry declined as the government sought to protect its timber stocks during the late 17th century. By the 18th century, the industry had almost disappeared. It was revived, however, during the 1820's when smelting works were opened, or re-opened, at and Cinderford. New iron mines were opened throughout the Forest of Dean, and by the mid-nineteenth century the Forest was producing over 100,000 tons per annum. However, by the end of the century iron mining and smelting had almost ceased.

3.10 Settlement was not officially allowed the area of the royal demesne, however, large numbers of squatters were drawn by the prospect of employment in the mines and by poaching. These men were regularly moved on by the Crown. Despite this, large numbers of dwellings were recorded within the boundaries of the forest in 1735, the inhabitants of which were said to support themselves by criminal activity. By 1788, the number of cottages and encroachments had nearly doubled to 583 cottages on 1385 acres of land.

3.11 By the late 19th century, the central Forest of Dean was heavily industrialised with coal and iron mines, iron and tinplate works, foundries, quarries and wood distillation works producing an array of chemicals, along with a network of railways and tramroads. The population of the area increased rapidly as industry grew and many of the Forest towns expanded considerably during this period(8).

3.12 Since then, the mining industry in the Forest of Dean has declined. There are still about 150 Freeminers in the area, but the last major ore mine closed in 1945 and the coalmines were (9) National context of the Forest of Dean district finally closed in the 1960s .

Historical Background

3.6 The natural resources of the Forest of Dean, including sandstone, limestone, iron, coal and timber have influenced the settlement patterns and historic development of the area.

3.7 At present, the Forest of Dean has relatively few known prehistoric sites and as a result, was included in the National Mapping Programme run by English Heritage(7).

3.8 During the Roman era, the exploitation of iron deposits formed the basis of an important industry. The location and nature of this sites requires further investigation. From the eleventh century, part of the area was designated as a royal forest, in order to protect game and its habitat

7 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/research/landscapes-and-areas/national-mapping-programme/forest-of-dean-nmp/ 8 Gloucestershire Historic Towns Survey - Forest of Dean Districts Archaeological Assessments: Lydney 9 http://www.forest-of-dean.net/?About_the_Forest

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

Forest of Dean 1282 (courtesy of Alan Baxter Associates) Forest of Dean 1900 (courtesy of Alan Baxter Associates)

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

Socio-economic Context 3.18 Only 16.44% of the population in the Forest of Dean has a level 4 or 5 qualification such as a degree or NVQ 4, compared to the national average of 19.9%. Some 29.86% of the population 3.13 According to the 2001 Census,(10) the Forest of Dean district has a population of 79,952. has no qualification compared to the national average of 28.85%. A higher than average proportion More recent estimates show that the population is now closer to 82,900(11). The Census figures of the population has level 1 to 3 qualification, such as a GCSE or A levels. The statistics show, also show that the Forest of Dean has a higher than average number of older people, especially however, that the residents of the Forest of Dean are more likely to have a level 1 or 2 qualification in the 50-54 age bracket. The figures also show that there is a below average proportion of people rather than a higher level 3 qualification when compared to the national population (20) in their twenties and thirties. This is especially marked in the 20-24 and the 25-29 age brackets(12). 3.19 The Forest of Dean is in the lowest quartile for recorded crime on a national basis(21). 3.14 Male life expectancy is 77.9 years and female life expectancy is 81.5 years (13). This is Crime in the Forest of Dean is generally decreasing, with a slight increase of 37 recorded incidents below the national average of 77.4 years and 81.6 years respectively(14). in 2008/2009(22).

3.15 Approximately 59% of the population is of working age, which is lower than the national 3.20 Approximately 76.6% of households live in owner occupied dwellings, 6.9% live in private average of 65%(15). The unemployment rate is 7.7%, which is slightly below the national average rented accommodation and 14.2% live in social rented accommodation (23). of 7.9%(16). 3.21 Census 2001 showed that only 3.27% of people travel by bus or train to work. A further 3.16 A break down of the working population according to industry of employment shows that 10.21% walk or cycle to work and approximately 72.6% drive or get a lift to work. The rate of a higher percentage of workers are employed in agriculture, hunting, forestry and in manufacturing commuting by car is higher than the national average and the proportion of population using and construction than the national average. After manufacturing, the largest employer in the sustainable transport modes is lower than the national average. The average distance travelled district is wholesale and retail trade and the repair of motor vehicles(17). to work is 15.64km compared to the national average of 13.31km (24).

3.17 A breakdown of the population based on socio-economic classification shows that 24.06% 3.22 These statistics are reinforced by a study of out-commuting from the Forest of Dean (25), of the population works as a large employer or is engaged in a managerial or professional based on the 2001 Census. According to this study, Forest of Dean District has the second occupation, compared to a national average of 27.73%. A higher proportion of the population of highest proportion of out-commuters in the county and the lowest number of in-commuters. The the Forest of Dean is engaged in routine or semi-routine occupations compared to the national wards around Lydney (26) have the lowest proportion of out-commuting in the district, except for average (18). Men earn marginally above the national average for a full week of work. Women in the wards of Coleford Central, Berry Hill and Pillowell. the Forest of Dean earn on average £78.20 less per week than women across the country(19). 3.23 A study by Roger Tym & Partners(27) states that

10 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=549268&c=Lydney&d=14&e=16&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291816286902&enc=1 11 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15106 12 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pyramids/pages/23ud.asp 13 Gloucestershire County Council (2010) Gloucestershire Population Monitor http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/inform/index.cfm?articleid=94727 14 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=168 15 https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431924/report.aspx#tabempunemp 16 https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431924/report.aspx#tabempunemp 17 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291819256468&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27 18 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291819306312&enc=1&dsFamilyId=41 19 https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431924/report.aspx#tabempunemp 20 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291820033921&enc=1&dsFamilyId=39 21 http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ia/atlas.html 22 http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/rec-crime-la-data.xls 23 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291820710078&enc=1&dsFamilyId=53 24 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291820949750&enc=1&dsFamilyId=283 25 Gloucestershire County Council (2004) Out-commuting from the Forest of Dean 26 Alvington, Aylburton and West Lydney, Lydney East, and Lydney West 27 http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%20Documents/Technical%20Documents/007FunctionalAnalysisRogerTym.pdf

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

The three Forest of Dean towns [Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney]...exhibit significantly 3.26 The table below shows the level of productivity in a number of industries in the Forest of different TTW (travel to work) dynamics. They are not very self contained and have a Dean, ordered from the most productive to the least productive. reasonably strong relationship with Gloucester. However, there is a well-established, if complex, relatively local commuting pattern in place. Future growth in the three towns could Total value added by industry (£m CVM 2001) be expected to reinforce such a sustainable pattern, not as freestanding individual towns but as a tight local network. Industry 1990 2000 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Economic Context Government and other 130.1 173.8 222.2 222.5 221.7 227.1 228.2 services 3.24 Following a period of growth, the economy of the Forest of Dean district experienced a (28) Manufacturing 166.5 246.5 213.3 203.3 178.6 180.3 183.3 swift downward spiral, due to the credit crunch in 2008 and the recession . (32) 79.3 93.7 132.9 128.9 121.3 123.3 127 3.25 The economy of the district is characterised by the following features: Distribution , hotels and catering Over 80% of all businesses in the district employ less than 10 people. These businesses are generally not dependent on major clustering of commercial activity in a specific location. Financial and business 95.1 134.7 98.4 96 94.3 96 99.2 services The majority of larger businesses have their headquarters outside the district. This makes Construction 50.4 54.8 82 77.3 70.2 70.8 71.2 the district vulnerable to the propensity of large business to consolidate on a smaller number of sites in difficult economic times. Transport and 24 52.8 61.9 58.6 54.3 55.8 57.2 communications More than 10,000 workers commute out the district everyday to surrounding towns and cities. Agriculture etc 32.3 27.6 27.4 26.6 25.4 23.8 23.5 Although wage disparities have reduced, there is still evidence that wages are 3-5% lower than those in the surrounding areas. Mining and quarrying 4.7 5.3 9.7 9.5 5.7 6.3 6.4

Tourism was worth £100 million to the Forest in 2007-2008 an supports approximately 7% Electricity, gas and water 2.2 3.1 1.8 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 of the workforce. There is an opportunity to build on this during the economic downturn. Total 584.5 792.3 849.6 824.1 773 784.9 797.3

The district economy is more dependent on public sector employment than the UK average. Source: Gloucs_standard_econ.mre - B102: Assumps: Ce_ier; Impact: Null: Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean) - Subareas: Real (CVM) Value Added by Industry Six super output areas(29) are amongst the most deprived in Gloucestershire, with particular underperformance in housing deprivation and educational attainment. Forest of Dean Productivity Data (£million)information supplied by FODDC Economic Development Officer The high streets of the market towns are not attractive and have a limited range of shopping, leading to a high level of leakage of retail spend to surrounding areas 3.27 As outlined above, the main areas of productivity were government and other services, manufacturing and distribution, hotels and catering. The smallest sectors are electricity, gas and There is an outflow of talent from the district as young graduates have limited career water, mining and quarrying and agriculture. opportunities in the area(30). 3.28 The sectors which employ the greatest number of people are set out below from the largest to the smallest(33).

28 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Business/documents/Economic_Development_Strategy_2010_to_2012.pdf 29 Super output areas are geographical areas designed for the collection and publication of small area statistics 30 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Business/documents/Economic_Development_Strategy_2010_to_2012.pdf 32 includes retail 33 As per Census 2001, http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1295352869459&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

Industry % of workforce employed Landscape and Heritage

Manufacturing 22.52% Forest of Dean Built Heritage

Wholesale, retail, repair of motor vehicles 17.14% 3.30 The Forest of Dean is underrepresented in terms of known archaeological evidence. Some work has been carried out to try to remedy this. Despite that the forest is underrepresented Real estate, renting and business activities 10.48% in this field, the forest does have entries in the Historic Environment Record from prehistoric and Roman eras. Health and social work 9.94%

Education 6.92% 3.31 The Forest of Dean also has a rich heritage and variety of vernacular architecture and settlement types. Vernacular architecture is the architecture of ordinary, traditional buildings and Transport storage and communication 5.33% reflects the type of materials that are typically available in the local area. In the Forest of Dean, much of this architecture and the settlement patterns reflect the district's historic and industrial Public administration and defence 5.14% past. The district can be divided into six character areas, comprising the Forest Core, the Commons, the Wye Valley, the Severn Vale, the Northern Farmlands and May Hill, each with its Other 4.4% (34) own distinctive character, influenced by geology and topography . Hotels and catering 4.22% 3.32 The Forest has 1474 listed buildings, 24 of which are Grade I buildings of national Agriculture, hunting, forestry 3.58% importance. The list includes many types of buildings, such as town centre shops, large farmhouses, schools, churches and barns(35). Financial intermediation 3.01% Forest of Dean Landscape Mining and quarrying 0.27% 3.33 The Forest of Dean is well known for its natural beauty and great diversity of its landscapes Electricity, gas, water supply 0.6% with its combination of woodland, pasture, arable land hills, ridgelines, scarp slopes, vales, valleys Fishing 0.07% and riverine landscapes, which all contribute to a dramatic and varied landscape. 3.34 Parts of the district, such as the Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills, are protected as Areas Industries of employment in the Forest of Dean district from largest to smallest of Outstanding Natural Beauty and their landscapes are well known nationally. Other landscapes 3.29 These figures demonstrate a similar trend to that shown by the productivity figures; and landscape features are also recognised and designated for their nature conservation and manufacturing and wholesale/retail are important sources of employment. Although government wildlife value, or for their historic or archaeological importance. and other services is the most productive sector, it employs a relatively small proportion of the 3.35 Beyond these instantly recognisable and protected areas within the forest are landscapes population compared to other sectors. The smallest sectors are mining and quarrying, electricity, of strong and coherent character. Examples include the distinctive rolling vale landscapes gas and water supply and fishing. bordering the Leadon and the Severn, the low hills containing numerous glasshouses and orchards north of Newent and the soft and shifting landscapes of the Severn sands(36).

34 Forest of Dean Residential Design Guide 35 http://hc.english-heritage.org.uk/content/pub/SW-UA-10#'Listed Buildings'!A1 36 Forest of Dean District Council Landscape Supplementary Planning Document 2007

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

Planning Policy Context Draft Forest of Dean District Core Strategy

Forest of Dean District Local Plan 2005 3.41 Once adopted, the main planning policy document for the Forest of Dean District will be the Core Strategy. The Core Strategy will be the overarching policy document that sets out the 3.36 The current planning policy for the district is the Local Plan 2005 . In time, this will be main principles for the development of the Forest of Dean until 2026. replaced by the Local Development Framework(37). As the various parts of the Local Development Framework are prepared and adopted, elements of the Local Plan will become redundant. Once 3.42 The draft Core Strategy vision for the Forest of Dean is the Local Development Framework is completed and adopted, the Local Plan will be superseded. Until this process is complete, the Local Plan and the Local Development Framework will operate together. The Forest of Dean will be a thriving sustainable community with a high quality environment, a developing local economy including tourism, housing which meets the needs of residents 3.37 Given that the Local Development Framework is not yet completed, the Local Plan is a (including affordable homes) and safer communities. relevant policy consideration. The existing complementary nature of the three southern forest towns will be reinforced to 3.38 The strategic objectives of the Local Plan are ensure Coleford, Lydney and Cinderford work together with their hinterlands to provide a more sustainable future. Much of the planned change will be in the towns, especially Lydney To achieve the economic, social and environmental revitalisation of communities throughout and Cinderford, with improved shopping and services, meeting the needs of the existing and the Forest of Dean, while recognising the particular needs of the south forest new population. Improved town centres, services and a wider range of employment will reduce commuting and other journeys. Newent will become a more effective local centre To promote the principles of and contribute to sustainable development, including locating through improvements in the centre and additional employment. The quality of the countryside development so as to minimise the travel demands arising and the use of previously developed and the built environment will be maintained through the careful promotion of the economy, land and safeguarding of the landscape.

To concentrate development in the four towns of the district, and to develop their role and function as accessible employment, service and transport centres 3.43 This vision of a thriving community provides the strategic objectives of the draft Core Strategy: To conserve, protect and enhance the natural and man-made environment To provide quality environments throughout the district - to protect the environment for the To provide for the economic and social well-being of rural communities benefit of the community and in order to attract new businesses

To develop a more self contained and diverse local economy including tourism - to address 3.39 The Local Plan states that most new development will be primarily located in the south of out commuting and enable more sustainable transport patterns while providing a greater the district, where the need for revitalisation is greatest. Lydney offers the greatest strategic range and number of jobs, and improving the services and facilities that are accessible opportunity for development and approximately half of the housing land allocations and 40% of the employment land allocations are located in Lydney. In the north of the district, most To provide homes including affordable homes - to meet the housing needs of the community development will be focused on Newent, but overall, development in the north of the district will be restrained, providing for local needs. Facilitate regeneration - to support a stronger more sustainable economy in a better quality environment 3.40 Further details of specific Local Plan policies relating to Lydney are provided below in section 4.3. Creating safer communities with better facilities

3.44 The draft Core Strategy also includes objectives and policies relating specifically to Lydney. These policies and objectives are set out in further detail elsewhere in this report.

37 see section 1.1

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3 . The Forest of Dean District

Transport and Movement

3.45 The Forest of Dean district is a rural area with four small market towns. The level of public transport provision and the accessibility of the district from the wider area reflects this.

3.46 Census figures show that there is a heavy reliance on the car to get to work, with a low proportion of the population using sustainable means of transport such as public transport, cycling and walking(38)

3.47 The main roads in the district area the M50 from the M5 to Ross on Wye, the A40 from Gloucester to Ross on Wye and the A48 from Gloucester to Chepstow. There is one junction off the M50 in the district, to the north of Newent. Both the A40 and the A48 are single carriage ways for much of their route through the district. The A48 is regarded as a medium risk road and the A40 is regarded as a low-medium risk road(39). All other roads in the district are single carriageway minor A or B roads. In effect, three of the four market towns are located on minor roads and are relatively poorly connected to the national road network. Lydney is better connected as it is located on an A road connected to Gloucester

3.48 Lydney is the only town in the district with a rail connection. This is considered in further detail below.

3.49 Public buses mostly provide local services only. These local buses operate within the district, with some connecting with other towns outside the district such as Gloucester, Ledbury and Chepstow. National Express stops in Newent, but does not stop in any of the other market towns. National Express services are also available from Chepstow, Monmouth, Ross on Wye and Ledbury(40).

3.50 The nearest airports are Bristol International Airport (35miles/59mins) and Cardiff International Airport (53miles/Ihr 53mins)(41). The nearest commercial ports are located in , Newport and Avonmouth. The nearest passenger ports are in Swansea and Pembroke(42).

Transport routes in the Forest of Dean District

38 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291820949750&enc=1&dsFamilyId=283. 39 http://www.eurorap.org/library/pdfs/20100629-RRM%20Britain%2006-08%20South%20West%20Region.pdf 40 http://www.nationalexpress.com/destinations/timetables.cfm 41 times and distances calculated using RAC journey planner 42 http://www.ports.org.uk/allareas.asp

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4 . Lydney

4 Lydney The Importance of the Railway and the Harbour

Introduction 4.6 In the early 19th century, the building of a tramroad and harbour to serve the coal trade of the Forest of Dean transformed the economy of Lydney. An act of 1810 enabled the tramroad 4.1 Lydney is the largest and the best connected market town in the Forest of Dean. It has the to link the mines to the north with the head of Lydney Pill and with the harbour, which extended best road connections of all of the market towns, as it is located on the A48, which runs from from the end of the tramroad to the . The harbour was constructed between 1810 Chepstow to Gloucester. It is the only town in the district with a rail service and it benefits from and 1813 and in 1821 a new outer harbour and lock were added. The tramroad was also extended large areas of open space and several sporting amenities. The town is due to undergo significant the full length of the harbour. Locomotives were run on the tramroad from 1864, until a railway change with the recent grant of permissions for major housing developments. The town suffers was built beside it in 1868. from a somewhat disjointed and congested high street. 4.7 The mainline railway, which became part of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, 4.2 The purpose of this chapter is to review the historic background, the socio-economic context, was built in 1851. There were several stations, including one at the head of Lydney harbour, one the planning policy context, the built and natural environment and the facilities available in Lydney. called Gatcombe station at Purton, one at Lydney Junction and another at Lydney town.

Historical Background 4.8 The Severn Bridge railway ran from Lydney Junction, across the Severn via a bridge from Purton to Sharpness and joined the 's Bristol–Gloucester line at Berkeley Road. Early Years and the Formation of the Town The bridge included a footway and was completed in 1879. Prior to this, a passage across the Severn from Purton existed from the early part of the 13th century. This sometimes treacherous 4.3 Excavations around Lydney have revealed evidence of an Iron Age hillfort and several route across the Severn was still in use up to the 19th century, but was closed when the bridge structures from the early Romano-British period. An ancient road known as the Dean road, which opened just downstream of it. is thought to be Roman, can be traced from Highfield Hill, on the main Gloucester–Chepstow road, through to Allaston. Parts of this road are thought to form the main street running through 4.9 In 1960, two oil tankers collided on the Severn and crashed against the railway bridge, Lydney. bringing down two spans. The bridge was not reopened and was demolished between 1967 and 1970 and the railway line between Lydney town and Severn Bridge station was closed. The 4.4 Although Lydney had a market from 1268, the town remained relatively small for much of branch line to the north of the main line was used to carry stone ballast until 1976 and officially its history. Indeed, the current town of Lydney was formed from two settlements, Lydney and closed in 1980. However, the Company, a steam preservation society, Newerne, which remained separate up to the mid 19th century. Lydney, which in 1818 contained purchased the line, and in 1990, began running steam trains on parts of the track. The Dean less than 40 dwellings, included Church Road as far as the church and the main street from the Forest Railway Company has since extended the line to Parkend. junction with Church Road as far as road to Bream. Newerne village, which had less than 30 dwellings in 1818, began roughly where the railway crossing is today and extended as far as the junction with Nass Lane. The gap between Newerne and Lydney was filled in the later part of the 19th century by developments, including the police station and magistrates' court in 1876.

The Town Centre

4.5 On the main street of the town, there was sporadic and piecemeal redevelopment during the later 20th century. The Lydney end of the town remained relatively unaffected, as the Newerne end had become the focus for shopping and attracted the most footfall. Part of the reason for this was that the bus station which has operated at Hams Road since 1960 and the Co-operative supermarket with adjoining public car park which was built in the 1970s, drew people to the Newerne end of the town. The primary shopping frontages remain at the Newerne end, despite the opening of the Tesco store on High Street in 2001.

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4 . Lydney

Housing Growth

4.10 The expansion of Lydney away from the main Gloucester – Chepstow road began in the late 19th century and took the form of small dwellings for industrial workers, constructed using forest stone. The first of these were built in the 1850s when houses were built on Albert Street towards Primrose Hill, and on Tutnalls Lane (later Tutnalls Street).

4.11 During the 20th century Lydney was much enlarged. Large council estates were built in the suburb of Tutnalls. Semi-detached houses were laid out in 1908-1909 leading up to the new cottage hospital at the top of Grove Road, and more houses were formed on Spring Meadow Road between Forest Road and Primrose Hill.

4.12 Further council houses were constructed on the east side of Tutnalls Street and on Severn Road in the 1920s. At around the same time, a private developer built an estate of semi detached houses nearby and on Forest Road.

4.13 The council continued its build programme through the 1930’s constructing small semi detached homes in two estates adjoining Regent Street and Oxford Street on the south-east side of the town, and on another estate at Tutnalls adjoining Nass Lane. Many houses in the Highfield Road area, northeast of the town centre, were privately constructed in the 1920's and 1930's.

4.14 After the Second World War, the council continued to develop the Tutnalls estate in the context of a housing shortage and the housing need arising from the new factories that were being established in Lydney. The council enlarged the Nass Lane estate in the late 1940's and in 1950 began a large new estate around Harrison Way and Klondyke Avenue.

4.15 In the 1960's and 1970's, the council built flats at Tutnalls and in the central area on the west side of Bream Road. More privately constructed homes were built on the Highfield estate in 1957 between Nass Lane and Highfield Road and over 100 houses were constructed in the Lakeside estate in 1964. The Lynwood Park estate on the east side of Springfield Road was begun in 1966.

4.16 Many of the housing areas mentioned above have since been extended, particularly in the vicinity of Primrose Hill and Allaston Court Farm to the north east of the town.

Lydney AAP Area

4.17 In the southern part of Lydney, the harbour, the railways, and the growth of the tinplate works at Lower Forge caused sporadic building in the 19th century. Two rows of cottages were built early in the century near the old head of Lydney Pill, just north of the later railway line.

4.18 South of the railway, beside the head of the harbour, the Severn & Wye Railway Company built Cookson Terrace, named after its chairman Joseph Cookson in 1859. The central unit was a hotel, which was flanked by four dwellings on either side. The hotel closed around 1970.

4.19 From the early 1940's, land adjoining Station Road and on the north-east side of the 1911 Railway Clearing House map of Lydney and the vicinity (copyright expired) harbour was extensively developed for industry.

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4 . Lydney

4.20 From the 1920's, trade at Lydney harbour declined with the closure of collieries in the 4.25 A breakdown of the population aged 16-74 on the basis of socio-economic classification(49) Forest. Its coal trade came to an end in the 1960's when the coal tips and the railway serving shows that a lower proportion of the population is categorised as large or small employers, them were closed. Powers to close the harbour and fill in its entrance were obtained in 1978 but self-employed, engaged in managerial occupations, lower managerial, professional occupations the closure was never enforced and the British Transport Dock Board and British Rail sold the or intermediate occupations or as full time students compared to both the district and national harbour in 1980. Severn Trent Water purchased the adjoining land and began attempts to promote averages. A higher proportion of the population than the national and district average is engaged tourist and leisure uses in the Harbourside area. The ownership of the harbour passed to the in lower supervisory and technical occupations, semi-routine occupations and routine National Rivers Authority, which later merged with the Environment Agency, which is the present occupations(50). These figure reflect the high proportion of the population engaged in owner(43). manufacturing, as outlined above.

Socio-economic Context 4.26 Approximately(51) 31.9% of the working age population of Lydney has no qualifications, compared to 29.8% of the working age population of the district and 28.85% nationally. 4.21 The following statistics are largely based on Census 2001. Approximately, 11.4% have a NVQ 4 or a degree or a similar higher level qualification compared to the district average of 16.4% and the national average of 19.9%. Approximately 49.3% have (44) 4.22 According to Census 2001, Lydney has a population of 8,960 . a NVQ1- NVQ3 or 1 GCSE to 2 or more A Levels compared to the district average of 46.4% and the national average of 44.3%(52). It would seem that although a higher than average proportion 4.23 It would seem that the proportion of the population in each age bracket is broadly consistent (45) of the population in Lydney has a good general level of education, that a high proportion has no with the trend across the district . Lydney has a slightly higher proportion of the population in qualifications at all and a significantly lower proportion hold high level qualifications. the 0-15 age bracket, a slightly lower proportion of the population in the 16-19 age bracket, a slightly higher proportion of the population in the 20-44 age bracket, a slightly higher proportion 4.27 The South Forest area, covering Lydney, Coleford, Tidenham and Sedbury, has average of the population in the 45-64 age bracket and a slightly lower proportion in the 65+ age group crime rates for a variety of crimes when compared to the rest of Gloucestershire and similar areas in comparison to the district average. In comparison to national figures, Lydney has a higher in England and Wales (53). proportion of people under the age of 14 and over the age of 45 and a lower proportion of people aged 18 to 44 than the national average.(46). 4.28 Approximately 72.8% of households in Lydney live in owner occupied dwellings. Approximately 18.25% of households live in social rented accommodation and approximately 4.24 The census shows that the majority of people in employment in Lydney are working in 6.9% of households live in private rented accommodation. A lower proportion of households in (47)(48) manufacturing . Some 28.75% of the employed population works in manufacturing, compared Lydney live in owner occupied and private rented dwellings than the district average. A higher to 22.52% in the district and 14.83% nationally. The second most common industry of employment proportion of households live in social rented accommodation than the district average (54). is the wholesale and retail trade and the repair of motor vehicles at 17.98%, compared to 15.43% in the district and 16.85% nationally.

43 This section on the historical background of Lydney is based on information found at http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23251 44 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291805709328&enc=1 45 Although a breakdown of population according to age is available for Lydney, the percentage in each age bracket has not been calculated by the Office for National Statistics. FOD officers have calculated the proportion of the population in each age bracket to offer a rough comparison with the district and national averages 46 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291807165625&enc=1&dsFamilyId=276 47 Although a breakdown of population according to industry of employment is available for Lydney, the percentage in each age bracket has not been calculated by the Office for National Statistics. FOD officers have calculated the proportion of the population in each industry to offer a rough comparison with the district and national averages 48 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291808370093&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27 49 Although a breakdown of population according to occupation is available for Lydney, the proportion in each socio-economic group has not been calculated by the Office for National Statistics. FOD Officers have calculated the proportion of the population in each socio-economic group to offer a rough comparison with the district average. 50 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291808370093&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27 51 Although a breakdown of population according to qualification is available for Lydney, the proportion in each group has not been calculated by the Office for National Statistics. FOD Officers have calculated the proportion of the population in each group to offer a rough comparison with the district average 52 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=Lydney&d=14&e=16&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1278601536039&enc=1&dsFamilyId=103 53 http://maps.police.uk/view/gloucestershire/ - last viewed 12/07/2010 54 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291813153687&enc=1&dsFamilyId=53

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4 . Lydney

4.29 Approximately 3.23% of the working population in Lydney uses trains or buses to get to Allocation Current status work. Approximately 71.8% get lifts to work or drive to work. Approximately 16.3% walk or cycle to work, which is significantly higher than the district average of 10.2%. This indicates that a (R)F.Lydney 4 - Housing allocation, Permission granted and implemented for 11 dwellings, relatively high proportion of the population in the Lydney area works within a short distance of Allaston Ref P1606/05/FUL home (55). (R)F.Lydney 5 - Housing allocation, Permission granted and implemented for sheltered Planning Policy Kings Building, Hill Street South housing, Ref P9141/03/FUL

Local Plan 2005- 2011 (R)F. Lydney 6 - Housing allocation, Hill No action to date Street 4.30 As set out in section 3.4 above, the Local Plan is the current planning policy, which will ultimately be superseded by the Local Development Framework. Until the Local Development (R)F.Lydney 7 - Employment allocation, Outline permission granted for a business park Framework is completed, Local Plan policies will operate together with the new policies in the Hurst Farm pending a section 106 agreement, Ref P1327/04/OUT Local Development Framework. In addition to setting out broad policies for the development of (R)F.Lydney 8 - Employment allocation, No action to date the Forest, the Local Plan includes specific policies and allocations for Lydney. Mead Lane

4.31 The Local Plan identifies the south of the district and Lydney in particular, as the main (R)F.Lydney 9 - Employment allocation, Application withdrawn, Ref P1820/04/OUT focus for housing development and job creation in the district. The strategy for Lydney allocated Pine End Works, Harbour Road sufficient land for 1300 dwelllings and 36.8ha of employment land. The Local Plan notes the importance of balancing housing development and employment opportunities and the importance (R)F.Lydney 10 - Employment allocation, No action to date of sustainable transport and improved traffic management. The Local Plan also allocates Lydney Harbour Road Harbour for recreation, leisure and tourism uses and aims to improve the town centre environment.

4.32 The current Local Plan housing and employment allocations in Lydney are set out below: 4.33 Other significant planning applications in Lydney are listed in section 4.4 below. Allocation Current status Draft Core Strategy (R)F.Lydney 1 - Mixed use allocation, Outline permission granted for up to 320 dwellings 4.34 The draft Forest of Dean District Core Strategy is an overarching planning policy document east of Lydney and a school, Ref P0724/04/OUT (Robert Hitchins for the entire district. This strategy also proposes significant change for Lydney and sets the Limited) scene for the proposed Area Action Plan. The draft Core Strategy regards Lydney as the main Outline permission granted for up to 750 dwellings, focus for development in the district. This is a long standing policy as set out in the Local Plan Ref P1097/08/OUT (Robert Hitchins Limited) Review 2005, which allocated land east of Lydney for housing, town centre uses and employment uses. Planning permission is already granted for the development of much of this land. Outline permission granted for up to 200 houses and 4ha of employment land, Ref P1009/09/OUT (MMC) 4.35 The draft Core Strategy states

Outline permission granted for up to 390 dwellings and employment development, Ref P1336/04/OUT (MMC)

(R)F.Lydney 3 - Housing allocation, Outline permission granted for 26 dwellings, Ref Holms Farm P1325/06/OUT

55 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do;jsessionid=ac1f930b30d564433dc0a9c84a7faf9ec9d207d9b6b0?a=3&b=549268&c=Ldney&d=14&e=16&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1288186242765&enc=1&dsFamilyId=125&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=1297

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4 . Lydney

The Core Strategy depends on Lydney as the town with the greatest opportunity for change Policy CSP12 and the scale of new development planned will reflect this. It is able to offer a range of services, including access to the rail network which can in turn be further supported by new In order to enhance the role of the town, the Core strategy will support the proposed employment and housing. Changes that do occur, principally the new neighbourhood to the development of the land east of Lydney for a new neighbourhood and will promote a new east and the proposed changes along the harbourside, will enhance its function and must mixed development along the axis between the harbour and the town centre. The development provide a greater degree of self containment. In addition to the Core Strategy, it is intended of the town centre including improvements following the implementation of the highway to prepare an Area Action Plan to act as a development brief and delivery mechanism for strategy and the improvement of key retail sites will be supported. changes to the area from the harbour to the town centre. This will address the connection between the harbour and provide scope for new mixed uses. This will:

The scale of the changes planned will not be sufficient to alter the complementary relationship Enable employment land to be developed, including 15ha at Hurst Farm and a further 5ha between the forest towns, though increases in population, employment and visitors to Lydney as part of the east of Lydney neighbourhood, and 7ha at Mead lane. will benefit the area and town directly. Provide for approximately 1900 new dwellings over the period to 2026, and make maximum use of previously developed land. On eligible sites (over 10 dwellings/ 0.3ha, a 40% share 4.36 The draft Core Strategy includes objectives for Lydney relating to: of affordable housing will be sought*).

2 Sustainable development Improve the town centre and develop up to an additional 600m convenience retailing and 1500m2 for comparison goods principally within the south eastern part of the town centre. Employment and skill levels *See Core Policy CS5 Education

The town centre Policy CSP13 Tourism and recreation Within the area of the proposed Area Action Plan, a new mixed form of development will be Housing and affordability promoted, using mainly under utilised land and redeveloping or adapting redundant buildings to form an area between the harbour and the town centre containing recreation, employment Community facilities and housing together with links to an improved town centre and the existing and new public recreation spaces. The plan will include proposals for improvements to the mainline station. Transport and access Land within this area will be allocated for up to 200 dwellings, mixed employment, recreation and tourism/leisure uses together with retailing (at the town centre). The natural environment

Other Policy Documents 4.37 Further details of these objectives can be found in section 7.26 of the draft Core Strategy, which is available at www.fdean.gov.uk. Turning the Tide at Lydney (2002)

4.38 The draft Core Strategy also includes two policies relating specifically to Lydney. Policy 4.39 Turning the Tide at Lydney is a strategic plan for Lydney prepared by the Lydney Area In CSP13 relates specifically to the Area Action Plan: Partnership. The partnership is a not-for-profit, independent, community owned organisation. The objective of the partnership is to regenerate Lydney and the surrounding area.

4.40 The plan identifies a number of strengths and weaknesses in Lydney and includes an outline action plan. The outline action plan includes several projects, such as:

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4 . Lydney

Improving the town environs and developing a town square Location Area Use Current Status

Improving buildings Lydney Station and adjoining 2.2ha Employment Allocated for rail related land development Creating a Youth Cafe Land south of Whitecross 4.5ha Housing Now developed Improving the Naas Lane Community Centre School

Providing better tourist information Land at Woodland Rise 8.4ha Housing Now developed

Creating a greenway, linking various parts of the town Land at Highfield Hill 5.1ha Housing Now developed

Providing more information at the Lydney docks Land at junction of Hams Road 0.8ha Retail and Now developed and Newerne Street professional Renovating the Bathurst Pool services Land at rear of 41-45 Newerne 0.13ha Retail and In use as a car park. No Developing a skateboard park Street professional longer allocated Improving sports facilities services Land at rear of 9-11 Hill Street 0.5ha Town centre uses Builder's yard. Now Improving links and transport allocated for housing Attracting a five star hotel Land west of health centre Parking Used for parking Developing a community owned energy project

Building on achievements of Fairtide Centre recycling project 4.43 The plan noted that traffic flows on the A48 were in the region of 10,000 per day and it set Improving communications aside land for the Lydney bypass.

Increasing the capacity of Lydney Hospital Audit of Planning Permissions

4.44 A planning consent audit, reviewing all developments granted permission (excluded those 4.41 The Lydney Area In Partnership has a number of ongoing projects, details of which can awaiting section 106 agreements) from 1st January 2000 until the 1st September 2010, was be found on their website www.lydney.org.uk. carried out. The majority of the developments granted permission during this period are relatively minor developments, such as household extensions, changes and extensions to commercial Lydney Local Plan (1989) premises and small housing developments of less than five dwellings. A snapshot of the most 4.42 Lydney Local Plan was adopted by Forest of Dean District Council in 1990. This plan significant developments granted permission over the last ten years is outlined below. provided for the allocation of the following sites: Year Reference and description

Location Area Use Current Status 2009 Ref P2181/09/OUT: Outline permission for a mixed use development of Land northwest of Lydney 25ha Employment Undeveloped commercial units, a petrol station and 6 dwellings on Highfield Hill Industrial Estate Ref P1777/09/FUL: Permission for 5 dwellings at Manor Road Land south of Bathurst Pool 5ha Employment No longer allocated Ref P1394/09/FUL: Permission for a 12 bedroom motel on High Street

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4 . Lydney

Year Reference and description Year Reference and description

Ref P1239/09/FUL: Permission for the erection of a retail premises and 2 2004 Ref P1336/04/OUT: Outline permission granted for 390 dwellings and dwellings at Newerne Street employment development on land east of Federal Mogul

Ref P1009/09/OUT: Outline permission for up to 200 dwellings and 4ha of Ref P1106/04/FUL: Erection of 47 dwellings, public open space and play employment use at land south of Lakeside Avenue area at Highfield Road

Ref P0319/09/OUT: Outline permission for 8 dwellings on Primrose Hill Ref P0724/04/OUT: Outline application for 320 dwellings, neighbourhood centre, a school, employment land including infrastructure, ancillary facilities, Ref P0173/09/FUL: Permission for a micro wind turbine at Whitecross School open space and landscaping off Lydney Bypass and Highfield Road

Ref P0073/09/FUL: Permission for 11 dwellings at Naas Lane 2003 Ref P9141/03/FUL: Outline permission for sheltered housing on Hill Street

2008 Ref P1755/08/FUL: Permission for 19 affordable homes at Klondyke Avenue Ref P8406/03/FUL: Permission for a 9 hole golf course at Naas Farm

Ref P1097/08/OUT: Permission for up to 750 dwellings and a school at land between Lydney bypass and Highfield Road 2002 Ref P1458/02/FUL: Permission for use of premises as youth cafe on Newerne Ref P0865/08/FUL: Permission granted for the erection of two buildings Street comprising 9 apartments at Claremount House, High Street. Ref P1397/02/FUL: Permission for an 80 berth marina at Lydney Docks

Ref P0283/02/FUL: Permission for a recycling facility at Lydney Industrial 2007 Ref P0658/07/FUL: Permission for an industrial unit at Lydney Industrial Estate Estate

Ref P0271/02/FUL: Permission for new industrial units at Whitecross Business 2006 Ref P1325/06/OUT: Outline permission for 10 affordable houses at Holm's Park Farm Ref P0591/02/FUL: Permission for three industrial units at Lydney Industrial Ref P0773/06/FUL: Permission for four industrial units at Whitecross Business Estate Park Ref P0554/02/FUL: Permission for the erection of 8 dwellings at Primrose Hill Ref P0460/06/FUL: Permission for 12 flats at Althorpe House, High Street

2001 Ref P0690/01/FUL: Permission for the erection of five industrial units at Church 2005 Ref P1606/05/FUL: Erection of 11 dwellings at Court Road Road Ref P1228/05/FUL: Permission for a block of 10 flats on Tutnalls Street 2000 Ref P1473/00/FUL: Permission for a flood defence system south of Lydney Ref P1026/05/FUL: Permission for 8 dwellings at Whitecross School Harbour

Ref P0353/05/FUL: Permission for an office block at Lydney Industrial Estate Ref P1457/00/FUL: Permission for a nursery school at Lydney Park Estate

Ref P0425/05/FUL: Permission for 29 dwellings at Mount Pleasant

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Year Reference and description

Ref P1399/00/FUL: Erection of a medical centre at Tutnalls Street

Ref P0175/00/FUL: Permission for 7 dwellings and conversion of coach house to dwelling on Stanford Road

4.45 The most significant permitted developments in recent years are those to the east of Lydney, some of which overlap:

Ref P0724/04/OUT is an application for up to 320 units, a neighbourhood centre, employment development and a school on land between Lydney bypass and Highfield Road by Robert Hitchins Limited.

Ref P1336/04/OUT is an application for up to 390 dwellings and 4ha of employment land south of Lakeside by MMC Estates

Ref P1009/09/OUT is an application for up to 200 residential units and 4ha of employment land, by MMC Estates, on land south of Lakeside Avenue. Approval for Phase 1 of this development, consisting of 200 dwellings, was recently granted on appeal (P0075/10/APP).

Ref P1097/08/OUT relates to a development of up to 750 dwellings and a school at land between Lydney Bypass and Highfield Road, by Robert Hitchins Ltd. This application was granted on appeal.

Major permitted applications to the east of Lydney

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National Land Use Database 4.49 As might be expected, the areas most likely to flood from the Severn to Aylburton have remained relatively free of development. Much of the development in the area is concentrated 4.46 The National Land Use Database records underused and derelict land, based on returns on the higher ground to the east of the canal and to the north. submitted by local authorities. The types of land recorded in the database include:

Previously developed land which is now vacant

Vacant buildings

Derelict land and buildings

Previously developed land or buildings currently in use and allocated in local plan or with planning permission

Previously developed land or buildings currently in use with redevelopment potential but no planning allocation or permission

4.47 In the 2010 National Land Use Database returns, four sites were recorded within the Lydney settlement boundary, including:

Land at the former railway sidings

Land at Pine End Works

Land at Holm's Farm

The carpark at the rear of Hams Road

Natural Heritage

Topography

4.48 Unsurprisingly, given Lydney's location on the Severn estuary and the propensity of some of the area to flood, much of Lydney is low lying at 0-50m. The area around the harbour is low and flat. The land west of the canal, from the river bank, almost to the A48 and the paper mills is at 0-10m. The land east of the canal around Pine End Works and Lydney Industrial Estate is on slightly higher ground. The land west of the old railway line, now used by Dean Forest Railway, is low until the Lydney bypass, where it rises more steeply to Lydney Park. To the east of the old railway line, the land rises steadily towards the Main Street. The topography of this area is influenced by a brook. From the Main Street, the land rises more steeply towards Primrose Hill and Allaston. North-west of Allaston, the land steepens significantly and is planted with forest. There is also some steeper ground along the old railway line towards Norchard Station.

Topography of Lydney

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Landscape Character Types and Landscape Character Areas planting to an otherwise ‘rural’ landscape, which has altered the local character significantly. Perhaps the most dramatic urbanising element is street lighting. There is no settlement within 4.50 A landscape character assessment was carried out in 2002, which records fifteen landscape this area, except for a single whitewashed cottage next to the Woolston level crossing. character types and forty-two landscape character areas in the Forest of Dean District. The areas relevant to the Lydney Area Action Plan and surrounding landscape are described below. Bledisloe Hundred (Area 9a)

Lydney Park (Area 4a) 4.58 The landscape comprises a discrete area of low convex hills with broad rounded tops, small woods and scattered farmsteads which borders the River Severn. The landscape is 4.51 A wide outcrop of quartz conglomerate forms the scarp face between Aylburton Common characteristically more undulating and of a higher altitude than the neighbouring vale. The and Kear’s Grove. Beyond the scarp to the east, carboniferous limestone’s coal measures and orientation of the hills gives the landscape a distinctive grain. This orientation is echoed by the significantly, crease limestone are present, which form landscapes and landscape features line of the ridges to the west and the course of the Severn to the east. The course of the A48 reminiscent of the Forest of Dean. and a line of pylons further enforce this orientation.

4.52 The scarp is extensively planted with coniferous trees and can be seen from some distance, 4.59 The strong pattern of fields emphasises the undulating landform, with neat, low cut hawthorn forming a significant wooded backdrop to the lower scarp slopes and the neighbouring vales. hedges traversing the hills. These contain a patchwork of pasture and arable fields, the rich red The area is sparsely settled, although isolated farms and loose clusters of houses on former soils clearly visible where fields have been harvested and ploughed. Woodlands are limited in common land are dotted throughout the landscape. These are predominantly surrounded by this agricultural landscape. However, small copses running along the numerous brooks that drain improved pasture land, although areas of arable farmland are conspicuous on gentler slopes. the hills and small coverts on the tops and sides of the hills are conspicuous. These combine with numerous hedgerow trees to give the impression of a well treed landscape. The most 4.53 Much of this area is designed and exerts a strong influence on the local landscape prominent woodlands are located in the vicinity of the Park at Oaklands and between Gatcombe character. The park contains secluded wooded valleys, lakes, parkland, veteran parkland trees and Purton, where the narrow deciduous copses that follow the brooks and streams may be seen and rhododendrons and azaleas within woodlands. Many parkland species have colonised the extending to the very edge of the cliffs above the Severn. local woodlands and are visible in the landscape some distance from the main gardens. Stonewalls are also typical of the Lydney Estate. The park occupies the dramatically undulating landscapes 4.60 Scattered large farmsteads are reached by a network of winding hedged lanes and tracks. to the east of the Aylburton scarp. Streams draining the adjacent uplands have created a series These farmsteads are largely sited close to the summit of individual hills, possibly indicating that of ridges and valleys and a series of pools and lakes, surrounded by dense woodlands. the lower hill slopes and narrow valleys were poorly drained and unsuitable for settlement. These farms are visually prominent, although their impact is softened by trees or by being sited below 4.54 The area is of considerable archaeological interest, reflecting past land uses and the the skyline. settlement history, with evidence of iron mining and iron works dating back as far as the Bronze Age. 4.61 Riverside cliffs are an interesting feature of the landscape. Elsewhere, and particularly where the Swansea to Gloucester rail line skirts the southernmost edge of the landscape, high Aylburton Newgrounds (Area 7b) retaining walls are conspicuous and indicate that the construction of the railway required significant engineering works in this location. 4.55 The Aylburton Newgrounds character area is an area of drained farmland. Hawthorn hedges and post and wire fences divide up the landscape into a patchwork of large pasture and Allaston Ridge (Area 10a) arable fields. 4.62 Devonian sandstone ridges are a prominent feature of the district and their distinctive 4.56 The pastures are often rushy, indicating that they are currently under stocked. This coupled profiles set them apart from the adjacent lowland agricultural landscapes and densely forested with poorly maintained hedges and areas of disturbed ground give an abandoned character. syncline. Wooded ridge sides, which rise sometimes dramatically from the vale below, are visible for many miles around and act as a landmark. 4.57 In recent times the canalised Lydney Pill has been the focus of industrial development. A sewage works and industrial estate have been established between the town of Lydney and 4.63 The ridges rise up to 279m AOD(56) and represent some of the most elevated landscapes the Severn. These developments are accompanied by buildings, tarmac roads and ornamental in the district, offering long distance views across wide areas. The sides of the ridges are steep, particularly where streams have cut deep valleys. On many of the steeper slopes, rock outcrops are visible through the thin covering of soil.

56 average over datum/ above sea level

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4.64 The ridges themselves support a mosaic of mixed farmland and woodland. Differing patterns of land use and variations in geology ensure that landscape character on one ridge may be very different from the character on the other, despite their close proximity.

4.65 Ridge tops and steeper ridge slopes are typically forested. Coniferous plantations are the predominant woodland type. However, there are some significant areas of deciduous or mixed woodland across the ridges, many being small copses running along the narrow streams and valleys. Many of the plantations are owned by the Forestry Commission.

The Severn Sands (Area 8a)

4.66 The section of the Severn which passes by the district is characterised by a broad landscape of open water, sandbanks, mudflats and rock outcrops. The strong tidal action results in a visually diverse landscape. At high tide, the area is almost entirely covered by water. The waters are a mass of grey, brown and yellow coloured water, depending on the status of the tide, the light conditions and the weather. As the water level drops, a shifting landscape of open water, sands, and rock is revealed. The edge of the landscape is characterised by a muddy interface between land and river.

4.67 It is an open and windy landscape with long, uninterrupted views across neighbouring landscapes. These views often extend some distance and end abruptly where surrounding hills, ridges and escarpments form a backdrop. Views to industrial areas are also possible, for example at Lydney Harbour and Sharpness. The Severn Road Bridge is also a prominent feature and dominates long views downriver.

4.68 Moored boats and remnants of wharves and quays are indications of the river’s past history as an important transportation and communication route. Small pleasure craft may be seen sailing along the river today and add colour and movement to the landscape.

Landscape typologies

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Natural Heritage Designations Site Designations (57) 4.69 There are a number of national and local natural heritage designations on sites in or Warren Grove (woodland to the east of Lydney) Key Wildlife Site near Lydney. These designations include the following: Old Park and Old Bargins Woods (woodland to Key Wildlife Site Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar north of Lydney) Convention. Land along bank of Severn (excluding industrial Undeveloped Coastal Zone Special Areas of Conservation are designated under the EU Habitats Directive. This sites) designation provides an increased level of protection for animals, plants and habitats. Natural heritage designations in Lydney Special Protection Areas are designated under the EU Birds Directive. These internationally important sites are of importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and these sites represent the best sites for wildlife and geology in England.

Undeveloped Coastal Zone is a local designation that restricts development in certain coastal areas in accordance with Local Plan policy (R)FNE.6.

Key Wildlife Sites are non-statutory sites, which are identified by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust(58) and are designated in the Local Plan. The Local Plan only permits the development of such sites in exception circumstances, subject to the details in policy (R)FNE.9.

4.70 The designations in and near Lydney are listed below

Site Designations

Severn Estuary Special Protection Area

Special Area of Conservation

Special Scientific Interest

Ramsar

Lydney Cliff/ Naas Cliff Site of Special Scientific Interest

Key Wildlife Site

Lydney Town Marsh and Sidings Key Wildlife Site

57 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/default.aspx 58 http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/gwt/gwt.nsf/webarticle?openform&id=138CC6A063595486802575D8005C32BD

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Flora and Fauna

4.71 A biodiversity study, recording plants, insects, birds, amphibians and mammals, was carried out within the Lydney AAP area. Some 415 species were recorded, 42 of which were rare or protected(59).

4.72 There are many trees which are the subject of a Tree Preservation Order within Lydney settlement boundary. A Tree Preservation Order requires that permission is obtained to remove or prune a tree. Trees in Conservation Areas are also afforded some protection. Most of the trees with a Tree Preservation Order in Lydney are located at the edge of the settlement, for example at Hurst Farm and Cross Hands. There are also some protected trees outside 4-6 Hill Street, at Bracken Drive and in other urban locations.

Environmental and wildlife designations in Lydney

59 Lydney AAP Scoping Report

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Built Heritage

Listed Buildings

4.73 There are several grade I, II* and II listed buildings in Lydney, which make an important contribution to the character of the area.

Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.

Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest.

Grade II: buildings of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

4.74 Some of these buildings are considered to be 'at risk'. A building at risk is a listed building in poor condition that may result in its loss. The loss of such a building is detrimental to the local area and sometime to the nation. The risk categories range from 1 to 6. Category 1 buildings are at 'extreme risk', category 2 buildings are at 'grave risk', category 3 buildings are 'at risk', category 4 buildings are 'vulnerable', category 5 buildings are 'not at risk' and category 6 buildings are 'not at risk'. The level of risk is determined by considering the condition and the occupancy of the building(60).

4.75 Below is a brief descriptions of the buildings within the Lydney Area Action Plan boundary which are listed for their architectural merit.

Church of St Mary, Church Road, Grade I: St Mary's is an Anglican parish church. It is mainly 13th century with a chapel from circa 1500. Restorations were carried out in the 19th century, including the restoration of the spire. The building is constructed from thin-bedded sandstone rubble with large flush quoin (corner) stones and a welsh slate roof. The gables have crosses at the apex. The building consists of a tower and spire to the west, a nave, north and south aisles, a deep north porch, a deep vestry to south aisle, a chancel, also with a vestry and a chapel at the eastern end of north aisle. The tower is from the 13th century.

Some 39 of the headstones within the grounds of St. Mary’s are separately listed as Grade II* and Grade II.

Location of Tree Preservation Orders

60 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Planning-DC/documents/Conservation%20Areas/building_at_risk_2006.pdf

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Naas House, Naas Lane, Grade II*: This large detached house probably dates form the early 17th century, although it was extended over the centuries. The main building has gable fronted wings, flanking a stair hall. The external walls of the main house are finished in rough cast render. The roof is tiled with double-roman glazed roof tiles and it has a hexagonal turret with a lead covered cupola or dome.

Naas House: Grade II*

Naas Court, Naas Lane, Grade II: Naas Court is a manor house and now a farmhouse dating from the 16th century with substantial 19th and 20th century modifications. This L shaped building is constructed from sandstone rubble and the roof is finished with double-roman tiles. The main block consists of a two storey building with various 19th and 20th century sash windows and a three light stone casement in a Tudor form. The other wing of the building was probably a granary or dairy. St. Mary's Church: Grade I Barn circa 25 metres east of Naas Court, Naas Lane, Grade II: This barn is probably from the 16th century, but has been altered significantly. The barn is constructed of sandstone rubble and has a corrugated iron roof. The barn backs onto Naas Lane and is divided into eight bays. This barn is in poor repair and is a category 1 building at 'extreme risk'.

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Barn circa 15 metres north east of Naas Court, Naas Lane, Grade II: This barn and cart shed dates from the 18th or 19th century. It is constructed of sandstone rubble and the gable roof is finished in double-roman tiles. This L shaped building forms a good courtyard group with Naas Court and the barn to the south, which are described above. This barn is poor repair and is a category 1 building at 'extreme risk'.

Swing bridge over Naas Harbour, Harbour Road, Grade II: This bridge from the early 19th century swings to allow boats through. The abutments, which support the ends of the bridge, are made of sandstone and include steps on one side. The bridge is a very good example of the direct and sturdy quality encountered in the functional tradition of quay-side design.

Nos 1-9 Cookson Terrace: Grade II

Former Severn and Wye Railway Tramway Bridge, Station Road, Grade II: This tramway bridge was built in 1810 for the Lydney and Canal Company (later the Severn and Wye Railway). This bridge is constructed of squared and coursed stone with an ashlar (cut stone) parapet, with a semi-circular arch. This bridge is a complete and rare example of a structure associated with a horse-drawn tramway, preceding the introduction of steam-powered locomotion. The tramroad was built to improve the export of Forest of Dean coal.

Swing Bridge: Grade II

Nos 1-9 (inclusive) Cookson Terrace, Harbour Road, Grade II: This terrace from 1858 was originally designed with a three storey hotel at the centre flanked by two storey houses for railway employees. These buildings have basements, which are approached from the back. The terrace is a striking architectural concept and is also a significant reminder of the history of Lydney.

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Tramway Bridge: Grade II

Market Cross, Church Road, Grade II: The market cross was originally built in the 14th century. The market cross that we see today consists of the remains of the original cross, which were restored extensively in 1878 and again in 1957. The plinth of which the cross is set is made of sandstone and consists of a pyramid with seven steps and a decorative square base.

The Market Cross: Grade II

Althorpe House, High Street, Grade II: The building was originally a dwelling, possibly built in the early 19th century and is now used as offices. The building is constructed of rubble stone, which is rendered except for the front elevation. The building is set on a sandstone plinth with

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4 . Lydney brick dressings and long and short quoins (corner stones). The hipped roof is finished in late quite complete and is an elegant engineering design. This structure is a category 4 at risk building. 20th century concrete tiles. The entrance porch consists of a large portico with 4 doric columns It is considered vulnerable and is in need of a thorough maintenance programme, including set upon five steps. The door consists of three panels under a fanlight. structural strengthening, rust removal and repainting

Baptist Chapel, High Street, Grade II: This mid 19th century chapel is finished in smooth render The Vicarage, Church Road, Grade II: The rectory of St Mary's Church dates from 1841 and with asbestos cement roof slates. The layout is simple with school rooms located to the back. consists of a twin gabled Tudor gothic design with a long service wing to the rear. It is constructed The roof is pedimented at the front with an ornate plaque and with a hipped roof behind. The of sandstone ashlar (cut stone) with a plain tile roof. The gates piers and boundary walls of the entrance porch is pedimented with an oval plaque with an ornate design. There are three large rectory are also listed separately as Grade II. windows on the front elevation. 4.76 Listed buildings which are within the settlement boundary, but outside the Area Action Plan boundary are outlined below.

Rocklands, Highfield, Grade II: This large, two storey, detached villa was built circa 1820. It is finished in painted stucco with a hipped welsh slate roof. It has a doric column portico approached by three steps. To the left of the front facade is a painted sandstone wall and former stable, which is now used as a garage.

49 Highfield Road, Grade II: This detached two storey dwelling was built circa 1820. It is constructed of good sandstone ashlar and a hipped welsh slate roof. There is an attractive fanlight over the front door. There are some modern additions, but overall it is a very elegant facade.

Crump Farm House and Barn, Naas Lane, Grade II: This farmhouse and adjacent threshing barn date largely from the mid to late 18th century. The house may incorporate the remains of an earlier building. The house and barn are constructed from local stone rubble, with dressed corner stones and a Welsh slate roofs. The two buildings have additional value as a functionally related group.

Baptist Chapel: Grade II

The Greyhound Inn, Naas Lane, Grade II: This two storey inn was built in the late 18th century or the early 19th century. The building is rendered, with some sandstone rubble to the back. The roof is finished in glazed double-roman tiles, with brick chimney stacks at the gables. There is a late 20th century extension, which is of no heritage interest.

Pedestrian Bridge at St Mary's Halt, Grade II: This 19th century pedestrian bridge crosses the railway line that is now used by Dean Forest Railway. The bridge consists of a very flat arch with stairs at either end and an iron lattice balustrade. Two original lanterns remain. This bridge is

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Listed buildings in Lydney

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Conservation Area Hedgerows and trees make a great contribution to the character of the area and ought to be given due consideration in the context of future development 4.77 Part of Lydney is a designated conservation area(61)since 2005. A conservation area aims to preserve or enhance the special architectural or historic character of an area. Designation of The improvement of the environment around the town cross and the town hall would be of a conservation area does not prevent change or development. Serious consideration is taken, benefit to the character of the area. however, of the impact of development and change on individual buildings, on the setting of buildings and on the character of the area. 4.81 Further information about the Lydney conservation area is available on the council website 4.78 The Lydney conservation area extends from Westfield House and the Town Hall to the at www.fdean.gov.uk. British Legion Club and also incorporates the Lydney Recreation Trust grounds, Bathurst Park and Bathurst Park Road.

4.79 The conservation area is divided into character areas:

Sub Area 1: This area is the 19th century core of Lydney's town centre, incorporating Hill Street, Bathurst Park Road, Bream Road and Victoria Road. The important buildings in this area include the police station and magistrates' court, Althorpe House, no. 5 Newerne Street and no. 4 & 6 Hill Street.

Sub Area 2: This area around the market cross and the town hall is the original centre of Lydney. This area has an open character. Many of the buildings in this area are from the late Victorian period and demonstrate a mix of styles, which is typical of the era.

Sub Area 3: This area aroundBathurst Park and St Mary's Church is open and relatively unspoilt with many of the buildings retaining original features and a number of mature trees.

Sub Area 4a: This area between Tesco and Althorpe House has some interesting shopfronts and demonstrates a continuous building line.

Sub Area 4B: This area extends from the Baptist chapel to the junction of Templeway West. This area has undergone the most damage to its character and appearance. This area is included in order to enhance and protect the remaining character and to ensure that any redevelopment is appropriate.

4.80 The Lydney Conservation Area Character Appraisal (2005) indicates that:

New development should consider the scale and layout of the conservation area and should carefully consider the materials used

Particular care must be taken to protect listed buildings and other buildings of interest

Railing and boundary walls contribute to the street scene and ought to be maintained

Extent of Lydney Conservation Area

61 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Planning-DC/documents/Conservation%20Areas/Current%20Appraisals/Lydney_Character_Appraisal.pdf

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Other Building of Architectural or Historic Interest

4.82 There are also several buildings or architectural or historic interest which are not listed, but are located within the conservation area(62). These include:

Raglan House, High Street: This is a mid 19th century hipped roof dwelling with two bays at ground floor and a central porch.

Lydney Town Hall , The Cross, Lydney

Police House, Hill Street: The police house was built by James Medland in 1876. The building is constructed in stone and the design shows a gothic influence. The central gable is flanked by gabled dormers, which retain the original sash windows. The former magistrate's court is located to the rear and the former cells are on the lower floor.

Raglan House, High Street, Lydney

Lydney Town Hall, The Cross: The town hall was built in 1888-89 by W.H. Seth Smith. It is a Jacobethan design, with ashlar dressing, stone mullioned windows, a symmetrical front with a big central gable over a recessed entrance with a decorative arch.

62 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Planning-DC/documents/Conservation%20Areas/Current%20Appraisals/Lydney_Character_Appraisal.pdf

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Former Police House, Hill Street, Lydney 4 & 6 Hill Street, Lydney

4 & 6 Hill Street: These buildings are a pair of mid 19th century villas constructed in stone. The Cross Keys Inn, Church Road: The Cross Keys Inn is a late mid 19th century building in the design shows a gothic influence, with ornamental quoins, front gabled wings and ground floor Jacobethan style in red brick. The building has a double gable frontage with a continuous bay bays. The buildings retain the original sash windows. An ornamental ground floor buttress enclosing the entrance on ground floor, with two ground floor bay windows and a mock timber separates the two dwellings. framed front at first floor level and Tudor style chimney stacks.

Almshouses, Church Road: These are late 19th century stone built cottages in the Arts and Crafts style with a large projecting first floor gable over Avenue Andre Clement, faux timber framing and a large central chimney stack.

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Cross Keys Inn & Almshouses, High Street, Lydney Bathhust Estate Cottages, Church Road, Lydney

Bathurst Estate Cottages, Church Road: These cottages, consisting of two pairs of Westfield House, High Street: This is a mid to late 19th century stone built, detached dwelling. semi-detached houses, were built in 1896 in a mix of Jacobehan and Arts and Crafts style. They There are two double-storey stone bay windows at either side of central entrance. are built of sandstone with front gables, ground floor bays, mock timber framing and ornamental Tudor-style chimneys.

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Westfield House, High Street, Lydney Bank House, High Street, Lydney

Bank House, High Street: This mid 19th century detached property retains its original sash Former Lloyds Bank, High Street/Church Street: This building has been identified principally windows. As the name suggests this was once a bank. The building is finished in stucco render for its importance in the street scene, affecting the setting of the cross and for its general group at ground floor level and smooth render at first floor level. There are two symmetrical entrances value. with attractive carved, door lintels, with ornamental railings to the left side.

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Former Llodyds Bank Building, Corner of High Street/Church Street, Lydney British Legion Building, Hill Street, Lydney

British Legion, Hill Street: This building was originally listed but was de-listed due to the degree of change which had taken place before the listing. The building still, however, makes a valuable contribution to the street scene and to the character of the area.

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Archaeology and Monuments

4.83 Gloucestershire County Council manages the Historic Environment Record(63). This database details records and finds from the Palaeolithic era to World War II and includes a range of sites from scheduled monuments and protected structures to the location of archaeological finds and desktop studies. A search(64) shows that there are numerous records in the Lydney area, the most significant of which are the village cross at the junction of High Street and Church Road and Lydney Harbour. The town cross is also a listed building and is described above. Other records in the Lydney area include earthworks, crop marks, the sites of demolished buildings and the sites of relatively minor finds such as coins and pottery shards.

4.84 The section of Lydney Harbour which is a scheduled monument is limited to the extreme eastern end of the harbour, that is, the area east of and including the swing bridge. The swing bridge is also a listed building and is described above. In the main canal section there are remains of three coal chutes of varying types, each with traces of their turntable recesses. Also included is the large sluice on the southern embankment with its track above, several bollards and a disused limekiln. The fittings of basin are of traditional type though some are modern replacements (c.1965). There are two hand capstans and an attractive harbour light.

4.85 The Environment Agency carried out extensive restoration of the dock, including the refurbishment of the walls and floor of the basin, the installation of new flood gates and lock gates and landscaping. Despite this inner basin is still in poor condition and the dock is still considered to be 'at risk'(65).

Buildings of local architectural or historic interest

63 http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2277 64 conducted by Gloucestershire County Council, dated 22/11/10 65 http://risk.english-heritage.org.uk/2010.aspx?id=227&rt=0&pn=1&st=a&di=Forest+of+Dean&ctype=all&crit=

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Historic Environment Record in Lydney

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Townscape and Green Spaces

4.86 The purpose of this section is to review how Lydney has developed and to consider the resulting townscape. The term 'townscape' is the equivalent of landscape in a rural area and a review of townscape or 'urban morphology' examines the relationship between buildings and spaces.

Historic Development of Lydney's Urban Fabric

4.87 Urban fabric is a collective term for the buildings, streets and spaces that make up an urban area.

4.88 There is evidence of prehistoric and Roman activity in the area, but Lydney really came into being during the early medieval period (66). Lydney is first recorded in a charter from the year 852, when land was granted to a noble.

4.89 During the medieval period(67), Lydney was recorded in the Domesday Book. At this time, Lydney was a landholding belonging to Earl William and consisted of land, a manor with 6 villagers, 8 smallholders, a mill and a woodland. There was also a church in Lydney around this time, as records from 1071 show. The present church was recorded from the mid-twelfth century, but none of the existing fabric predates the 13th century. Lydney was also granted a market (1268). It is thought that the market was held near the cross at the junction of the High Street with Church Road. There was also a settlement in Newerne. Following the grant of the market, an attempt was made to create a borough. This was unsuccessful and Lydney and Newerne remained small, separate settlements until the 19th century. There is evidence of trade and industry taking place in Lydney during the medieval period, with a number of mills and forges recorded. Lydney Pill Extent of medieval, post medieval and modern Lydney (the harbour) was a centre for trade along the Severn. During this period the focus of development was towards the church and where the town cross is now located and then later further 4.90 Lydney remained a small rural settlement during the post medieval period(68). In the early development took place on what is now the High Street. 1700's, two markets were held in Lydney each year, but by 1725 these markets had lapsed and an attempt was made to revive them. In 1726 a new market house built. It is thought that this building stood near the town cross and was demolished in the 1870's. During this period, industry and trade continued to develop, with ironworks and a tinplating mill. A narrow canal was built from the Upper Forge to Lydney Pill in the late 18th century. The role of the harbour also grew. A new harbour was built in 1813 and a tramroad was used to bring coal from the Forest coalfields. In 1790, there were few tradesmen in the town, but records show that by 1851 there were over 150 tradesmen, craftsmen and shopkeepers following over 38 different trades.

4.91 In 1851, Newerne was still a separate settlement, but the gap was filled in with the development of the police station and magistrates court in 1876. The houses along the main street joining Lydney and Newerne were, in the main, small and of poor quality. Albert Street, Queen Street and dwellings on Tutnalls Street were laid out during the 1850's and workers' housing was laid out to the south east of the High Street in the 1880's. The town hall (1889) and

66 410-1066 67 1066-1540 68 1540-1901

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4 . Lydney the Lydney Institute (1896) were built near the town cross. In the 1890's, dwellings were built 4.96 Towards the end of 2000, a new superstore was granted permission at the junction of on Stanford Road and Bathurst Park, which is located south of the main street, was established High Street and Oxford Street, at the western end of the town. This superstore attracts a large in 1892. proportion of the retail spend in Lydney and has, to some extent, refocused the commercial activity of the town towards the western end of the main street. Large housing developments have also 4.92 During the 20th century, Lydney grew considerably, from a population of 3,559 living in been granted permission to the east of the town, but construction has not commenced. (73)(74) 704(69) dwellings in 1901 to over 8,970 people living in 3,637 households in 2001(70). The average household size dropped from 5.05(71) persons to 2.4(72) persons during this time. Prior to the 4.97 A comparison of maps of the town from 1924, 1956, 1971, 1986 and 2010 shows that Great War, Mount Pleasant, some additional housing on Tutnall Street, Grove Road and Spring from 1924 to1956 Lydney grew significantly. Post war development constituted the single biggest Meadow Road were developed. The local authority complete 50 houses centred around Severn expansion of Lydney's urban fabric. Other additions to the area since then have been relatively Road by 1924, known as the Tutnalls estate, with a developer completing a further 40 dwellings small by comparison. over the next three years. From 1926-1928, the council developed a further 55 dwellings on Spring Meadow Road and a developer completed a scheme on Forest Road. During the 30's 4.98 The history of Lydney's growth explains the towns dispersed form. The main street is over houses were also developed at Regents Street and Oxford Street, near the existing Tutnalls half a mile long and is strung between the original Lydney centre at west end of the street and estate, Highfield Road, Springfield Road and on the upper part of Grove Road. The largest the settlement at Newerne. Over the years, the commercial focus has shifted from the area development during this period was the Templeway development of 40 dwellings. The area around the town cross to the Newerne end of the main street and back towards Tesco. The other around the junction of High Street and Church Road remained the focus of the town centre for driver in Lydney's history is the harbour, which is located approximately 1.5 miles from the town the early 20th century. centre. The main street is split by the historic railway line which travels in the direction of the harbour. The Bathurst Park and the Recreation Trust Grounds were established by the late 40's 4.93 During World War II, a site by the harbour was developed as a salvage depot for military and these, in conjunction with the former tip to the south, influenced the subsequent pattern of vehicles. After the war, it was set out as an industrial estate. Pine End Works, adjoining the expansion. These green spaces are assets to the town, but are relatively poorly integrated with industrial estate, was set up in 1940 to make plywood for gliders and aeroplanes. After the war, the surrounding town and add to the sense of a dispersed urban fabric. These open spaces, the the factory continued to make plywood. By 1968, Lydney was an industrial town, employing 5,000 historic railway and the relatively large distances between the main focuses for historic peoples in factories. development, that is, the town cross, Newerne and the harbour, mean that the main features of Lydney are relatively dispersed and the town lacks a central focus. 4.94 Following World War II, the Tutnalls estate was expanded and Harrison's Way and Klondyke Avenue were developed. The Lydney Recreation Trust Grounds were donated in 1946 and then 4.99 The town has developed towards east the rather than the north or west. This pattern of extended to over 5 acres. In the 60's and 70's, the council built flats at Tutnalls and west on development may be influenced by the propensity of land to the west to flood and by the large Bream Road. By 1972, there were 666 council houses in Lydney and a large amount of private Lydney Park landholding which is located along the western boundary of the town. development at Highfield estate, Lakeside estate and Lyndwood Park estate. There was some redevelopment of the main street during the late 20th century and the town's commercial area moved towards Newerne. This was aided by the opening of a new bus station in Newerne in 1960 and the building of a large supermarket and public car park in the 1970's. During the 70's and 80's many of the factories closed down and by 1982 only a few hundred people were employed in the industrial estate.

4.95 Large housing estates were developed to the east and an outer bypass was constructed to the south during the 1990's. By this time, industrial employment had increased somewhat and over 1,000 people were working in the industrial estate.

69 http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser?path=Browse/Census (by date)&active=yes&mno=86&tocstate=expandnew&display=sections&display=tables&display=pagetitles&pageseq=15 70 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=549268&c=Lydney&d=14&e=16&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1291294499109&enc=1 71 8960/704 72 8970/3637 73 Gloucestershire County Council Historic Towns Survey - Lydney 74 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23251#s9

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Building Typologies and Urban Morphology

4.100 Urban morphology refers to the pattern of buildings and streets in an urban area. The history of Lydney's development outlined above shows how Lydney developed and grew. The purpose of this section is to examine the legacy of that development and to review some of the typical street layouts and buildings that reflect that history.

4.101 Lydney demonstrates a tight urban grain in some places, particularly along Newerne Street and close to the town cross, with the front doors of terraced buildings opening directly onto the street. A looser urban grain, where buildings are set back from the street, is also demonstrated along the main street in both 19th and 20th century developments. Examples include 4 and 6 Hill Street from the 19th century and the modern Tesco store. The 1880 map of Lydney shows that the southern side of High Street did not demonstrate a continuous building line even at that time. Some of the buildings were set back from the street and others, although contiguous with the street, were set in large plots, rather than terraced. This may reflect the fact that Lydney and Newerne were effectively separate settlements until the 1870's.

4.102 The urban grain beyond the main street is quite loose. Most of existing built up area off the main street was developed after World War II and these suburban areas demonstrate the typical features of mid 20th century residential development. Many of theses buildings are detached or semi-detached with a small proportion set in short terraces of no more than six units. These buildings are generally set back from the street with front gardens of varying sizes.

4.103 The main industrial areas are built around the railway junction and the harbour. Most of these buildings were developed from the mid 20th century and have a typically loose grain, with buildings set back from the street.

4.104 A few examples of the typical buildings from different phases of the development of Lydney are set out below.

4.105 Mid 19th century terrace: An example of this building typology is Queen Street, which was laid out in the 1850's. This street is quite narrow, with a relatively tight grain. The small dwellings are terraced with small privacy strips at the front and long back gardens. The dwellings are finished in brick, stone or render and contemporary windows and doors have been installed. Albert Street was also set out in the same era and a terrace of buildings shown on a map from 1880's remain. These dwellings are gable fronted buildings with small front yards and long back gardens. The old map shows that these buildings once had outhouses to the front. One of these outhouses remain. Many of the other buildings on the street were built during the mid to late 20th and demonstrate a mix of architectural styles.

Expansion of Lydney from 1924-2010

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4 . Lydney

Urban grain of Queen Street

Albert Street

4.106 Early 20th century terrace: Mount Pleasant was set out prior to the Great War. The buildings from this era on Mount Pleasant are terraced stone dwellings with yellow brick surrounds, a ground floor bay window and slate roofs. The terraces have small front yards enclosed by low brick and stone walls and smaller back garden then those on Queen Street. The remaining buildings on Mount Pleasant are from the mid 20th century and demonstrate a looser urban grain.

Queen Street

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Urban grain of Mount Pleasant

4.107 Early 20th century semi-detached: Grove Road was set out prior to the Great War. Although there is a mix of architectural styles on the street, the dwellings from this era at this location are larger than those on Mount Pleasant. These buildings are also built in stone, with front gardens enclosed by low stone walls and have bay windows, albeit on both floors. They are, however, semi detached and are set back further from the road. A pair of dwellings from this era are also located on Forest Road. These buildings have a plaque dated 1909 and are finished in grey stone with red stone surrounds. These substantial dwellings have small enclosed front gardens and ground floor bay windows.

Mount Pleasant

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4.108 1920's - Arts and Crafts Movement: The dwellings on Severn Road were built by the council in the 1920's. These dwellings are semi-detached and terraced dormer dwellings with larger front gardens than those described above. They are finished in red brick and block with red clay roof tiles and red tile hung gables. These buildings show the influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which was popular at the time. Some of dwellings are now painted.

Grove Road

Severn Road

Urban grain of Grove Road

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Urban grain of Severn Road

4.109 1930's semi-detached: The dwellings on Templeway are typical semi-detached dwellings from the 1930's. These buildings still show the continuing but evolving influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement with bay windows, a mix of brick and pebble dash or plaster, tile hung gables and clay roof tiles. These dwellings are set well back from the road and have large back gardens. The density is lower than that of the earlier dwellings described above and the area demonstrates a looser urban grain.

Templeway

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Urban grain of Templeway

4.110 1940's dwellings: Harrison's Way and Klondyke Avenue were developed during the post-war era. The dwellings in Harrison's Way are terraced and semi-detached red brick dwellings with tile rooves that are set back from the street. The streets have wide grass margins and demonstrate a loose urban grain. The dwellings on Klondyke Avenue are both single and two storey, in a similar plain style but with a render finish.

Klondyke Avenue

Urban grain of Klondyke Avenue

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4.111 Late 1960's dwellings: Both Lakeside and Templeway West were started in the late 1960's. The dwellings at Lakeside are red brick buildings with half brick, half tile facades with lean to porches and with the horizontal windows and shallow roofline typical of that era. These semi-detached dwellings and bungalows are well set back from the public road, with front and back gardens of similar size. The area has a loose urban grain and is low density suburban development. Templway West is a development of detached gable and semi-detached fronted dwellings finished in yellow or red brick and wooden cladding or render. These buildings also have windows with a horizontal emphasis and a shallow roofline. These dwellings are well set back from the street, with relatively generous garden space. Again, this area has a loose urban grain and is low density.

Lakeside

Templeway West

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Urban grain of Lakeside

4.112 Mid 90's dwellings: Developments such as Highfield and Lych Gate Mews were developed in the mid '90's. Highfield is largely built in brick and Lych Gate Mews included mock Tudor timber, brick and render finishes. Both developments attempted to create character by incorporating features from other eras without the detail and craftsmanship, which is typical of development from this era. In both instances, the detached and semi-detached dwellings are set back from the street, with a relatively loose grain.

Highfield

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Urban grain of Highfield

Green Spaces

4.113 Lydney is located in a rural area, proximate to the Severn Estuary and the statutory forest area, providing good access to the countryside.

4.114 Within the settlement boundary there are also several of recreational grounds, parks and other open spaces, many of which are designated under the Local Plan. Local Plan designations include:

Protected Outdoor Recreation Space: Recreational space is protected under (R)FBE.10 of the Local Plan. The loss of recreational space is only permitted in exceptional circumstances Lych Gate Mews under the Local Plan New or Additional Recreational Space: This is also protected by (R)FBE.10 of the Local Plan Important Open Areas: These spaces make a positive contribution to the form and character of an area and development is only permitted on these sites if it does not detract from the area (See policy (R)FBE.8 of the Local Plan) Important Open Areas and Recreation Space: This is protected under (R)FBE.8 and (R)FBE.10 of the Local Plan

4.115 Land designated as Protected Outdoor Recreation Space includes:

Rugby football grounds Recreation ground at Primrose Hill

4.116 Land designated as New or Additional Recreation Space includes:

Lydney Town Marsh Land south of boating lake at Lydney Recreation Trust Land east of Severnbank Avenue

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4.117 Land designated as Important Open Area includes: Bus Service

A strip of land by the river between the Recreation Trust lands and Bathurst Park 4.122 National bus services do not stop in Lydney. Lydney is serviced however by several The cemetery, Church Road local bus services to: The St Mary's church grounds, Church Road Land between Lakeside Avenue and the Federal Mogul foundry Gloucester (up to 13 services per day) Land at Naas Lane Cinderford (up to 9 services per day) Land at Wydean Close Land at Manor Road Coleford (up to 14 services per day) Land at Bracken Close Land at Queen Street Parkend (up to 6 services per day) Land between Queen Street and Woodland Rise Land at Forest Road Vantage Point, Mitcheldean (1 per day) Land at Allaston Road (up to 2 services per day) 4.118 Land designated as Important Open Area and Recretion Space includes: Local Lydney route ( 9 services per day) Bathurst Park Lydney Recreation Trust land Pillowell (1 service per day) (75) 4.119 Equipped play spaces are provided at: Chepstow (2 services per day)

Wye Dean Close Roads and Traffic Primrose Hill Recreation Ground Augustus Way 4.123 Lydney is moderately well connected by road to Gloucester and Coleford, but is not well Centurian Road connected to other towns in the district; this, however, is unsurprising given the rural nature of Bathurst Park the district and the large area of forest at the centre of the district. Lydney is particularly well Beauchamp Meadow connected to Chepstow, which is closer than Gloucester and provides a greater range of services than Coleford or Lydney. 4.120 The harbour area, which is a scheduled Ancient Monument also provides a public open space. 4.124 The A48 is a major trunk road running from Highnam to Carmarthen, which bypasses the town centre of Lydney and runs through the Area Action Plan area. The A48 is considered Transport and Movement to be a medium risk road for road deaths(76).

4.121 Compared to other market towns in the district, Lydney is well served by road and public 4.125 The B4231 links Lydney with Bream, the B4234 links Lydney with Parkend and the B4231 transport. It is the only town in the district with a rail service and is located on one of the main links the town centre and the train station. roads in the district. 4.126 Traffic flow diagrams issued by Gloucestershire County Council show that Lydney experiences relatively modest flows of traffic, when compared with other routes in the county. Approximately 3000 to 6000 vehicles use the A48 bypass over a 24 hour period on a workday(77).

75 http://ww5.gloucestershire.gov.uk/Bustimes/Forest.htm 76 http://www.eurorap.org/library/pdfs/20090624_RSF_report_LOW_RES%20for%20Web.pdf 77 Gloucestershire Highways Traffic Flow Diagrams 2008

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Goods vehicle flows amount to 501 to 800 vehicles per day(78). Within Lydney(79), traffic surveys FLY 19: From north of St Mary's Church, through the church grounds to pedestrian bridge show that approximately 3,600 vehicles travel northbound on the B4231 and approximately 3,200 across the Dean Forest railway line travel southbound on the B4231. Approximately, 4,400 vehicles travel northbound on High Street and approximately 4,400 travel southbound on High Street. Although these flows may be relatively FLY 20: From south of St Mary's Church grounds along eastern boundary of church grounds modest compared to other major roads in the county, Lydney is a relatively small town and is to pedestrian bridge across the Dean Forest railway bridge perceived to suffer from a congestion problem. The junctions of the B4231 and the B4243, which originate in the centre of the district are located in the main shopping area of the town, adding to FLY 21: From Swan Road along along western edge of Lydney Trust Recreation Grounds this perception of congestion. Unfortunately, congestion data for Lydney is not available. to pedestrian bridge across the Dean Forest railway

4.127 The District Council monitors nitrogen dioxide, which is emitted by vehicles, at busy FLY 24: From Tutnalls Street to Lydney Recreation Trust Boating Lake junctions and traffic lights. A monitoring report shows that the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide was exceeded at two locations on High Street in Lydney(80). Forest of Dean District FLY 25: From A48 along northern boundary of Lydney Industrial Estate to junction with FLY Council has set up an Air Quality Management Area in Lydney along the main street(81). 44 near Lydney Harbour

Train FLY 25A: From Bathurst Park Road, via Bathhurst Park to Church Road

4.128 Lydney train station is located on the periphery of the town approximately 1 mile from FLY 27: From south west corner of former the Lydney Tip to the bypass Lydney town centre. The station is located on the Gloucester to Newport line. The 132 service, provided by Arriva Trains, stops at Cardiff, Newport, Caldicot, Chepstow, Lydney and Gloucester. FLY 44: From end of FLY 24 to a point north of Naas Cliff This service runs up to 15 times per day(82). FLY 46: From FLY 46 to Naas Cliff 4.129 The 57 train service from Nottingham to Cardiff is provided by CrossCounty(83). These services stop at a variety of stations depending on the schedule, including Cheltenham, Birmingham FLY 48: From Naas House to south eastern corner of Pine End Works and Derby. Although the service runs throughout the day, it only stops at Lydney on five occasions, in the early morning and late evening. From the 24th May 2011, CrossCountry will provide 12 FLY 77: From Lydney Industrial Estate to Pine End Works along Harbour Road services per day in Lydney on a 12 month trial. The purpose of the trial is to assess the level of public demand(84). FLY 84: From north-eastern corner of the Lydney Recreation Trust Boating Lake to Golf Course House on Lakeside Avenue 4.130 Lydney is also the terminus for the historic Dean Forest Railway, which runs to Parkend. This is a tourist attraction(85). FLY 88: From A48 bypass to Church Road, along southern boundary of Lych Gate estate

Public Footpaths FLY 93: Via Lydney Marsh to A48 bypass

4.131 There are several public footpaths leading to Lydney and within the Lydney area. FLY 94: From Lydney Marsh to A48 bypass

4.132 The following footpaths are within the Area Action Plan area: 4.133 It is possible to walk from three points near the High Street to Lydney Harbour and to FLY 18: From south of St Mary's Church, through the church grounds to pedestrian bridge walk towards the forested areas north of the town. across the Dean Forest railway line

78 Gloucestershire Highways Traffic Flow Diagrams 2008 79 these figures are based on surveys taken from 2001-2008 and were provided by Gloucestershire Highways on 02/09/10 80 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/PestControl-FoodSafety/documents/Pollution/Detailed_Assessment_Lydney_2008.pdf 81 http://meetings.fdean.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=2455 82 http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Timetables/ 83 www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk 84 CrossCountry press release dated 10th January 2011 85 http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

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Draft Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan

4.134 According to the Draft Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026, Gloucestershire County Council aims to:

Implement the Lydney Highway Strategy, once funding is available

Engage with Network Rail and the train operating companies to help improve car parking and interchange facilities at Lydney Station.

Work with rail operators to provide improved rail park & ride and more frequent services at Lydney.

Lydney Highway Strategy

4.135 The Lydney Highway Strategy was first proposed in the 1980's. The proposals contained in the strategy include:

A link road at Newerne Street

Improvements at the junction of Bream Road and Hill Street

Carriageway and footpath widening at Albert Street

Junction improvements at Lydney bypass and Highfield Road

Junction improvements at Albert Road and Highfield Road and at Naas Road and Highfield Road

4.136 Much of the funding for such improvements is likely to be provided by section 106 agreements.

Sport, Leisure and Recreational Facilities

Sport Facilities and Clubs

4.137 Lydney has several sports facilities including:

A golf course

A rugby ground and clubhouse

Lydney Recreation Ground Public footpaths in Lydney Whitecross Leisure Centre

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Bathurst Outdoor Pool Air Training Corp

Bathurst Park Women's Institute

Severnside Flower Club 4.138 Whitecross Leisure Centre is run by the district council and provides an indoor swimming pool, a fitness suite, a sports hall, a gym, squash courts, a floodlit artificial pitch, outdoor tennis Etc courts, grass pitches and a multi purpose room/fitness class studio.

4.139 Bathurst Outdoor Pool is a 44m outdoor pool, which is open during the summer and is 4.144 Lydney has some arts, cultural and music clubs and groups including: run by a charitable trust. Lydney Town Band 4.140 Lydney Recreation Ground is the home of the cricket and football clubs Taurus Crafts 4.141 Bathurst Park is a public park, which accommodates a bowling club and provides basketball and tennis courts. Lydney State Circus

4.142 Lydney has several active sports clubs including: 4.145 Cultural and arts events include Rugby Forest Open Studios - four artists based in or near Lydney participated in this event Golf Progressive Rock Festival Cricket Lydney Festival Yachting

Swimming Health, Education and Community Facilities

Football Health Facilities

Netball 4.146 The following health services are provided in Lydney:

Tennis 2 GP surgeries

Bowls Minor Injuries Unit and Lydney District Hospital

Etc 3 dental surgeries 2 pharmacies Other Recreation 3 opticians 4.143 Non-sporting recreational groups in Lydney include: Lydney Health Centre, which offers a range of health services Scouts

Sea Cadets 4.147 The nearest accident and emergency service is in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, approximately 16 miles away.

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Educational and Childcare Facilities Lunch clubs Various special interest groups 4.148 Lydney has three primary schools (Lydney Church of England, Primrose Hill, Severnbanks), one secondary school (Whitecross School) and a Sure Start Centre called River Commercial, Retail and Business Context Children's Centre. Education for 16-19 years olds (sixth form) is not provided at Whitecross (86) (87) (88) School. Whitecross School was rated 'good', Severnbanks and Primrose Hill were rated Local Economy as 'satisfactory' and Lydney Church of England School was rated as 'outstanding'(89) in recent Ofsted reports. 4.155 As per section 4.24, the last census indicated that the majority of people in employment in Lydney(92) work in manufacturing(93). Each sector of employment is listed below from the largest 4.149 In 2009, 45% of students at Whitecross School achieved 5 or more A* to C grades at to the smallest(94). GCSE. This compares with 58% across Gloucestershire and 50% nationally (90). Sector Approximate % of population employed 4.150 There is a small school for boys known as Three Castle College. There are also a number of residential and non-residential facilities for people with learning disabilities in Lydney, including Manufacturing 28.75% the Camphill Village Trust and the Fairtide Centre. Wholesale, retail, repair of vehicles 17.98% 4.151 Adult education and further education is provided at the Royal Forest of Dean College campuses in Mitcheldean and Five Acres. Health and social work 9.16%

4.152 There are nine registered childminding services offering 195 childcare and nursery places, Real estate, renting and business 9% (91) within 1 mile of Lydney . Construction 7.36%

Community Facilties Education 5.53%

4.153 Lydney has a number of community facilities and services including Storage and Communications 5.33%

Lydney Youth and Arts Centre Other 4.46% Lydney Youth Cafe Lydney Dial a Ride Hotels and catering 3.9% Lydney Library Public administration and defence 3.58% Lydney Town Hall Financial intermediation 2.93% 4.154 There are also a number of community groups including Agriculture, hunting, forestry 1.4% Several religious congregations Support groups Electricity, gas, water supply 0.29%

86 http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/109849/(as)/115778_326272.pdf 87 http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/98191/(as)/115746_312051.pdf 88 http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/111620/(as)/115732_326259.pdf 89 http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/103416/(as)/115635_326238.pdf 90 http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/school_09.pl?No=9165427&Mode=Z&Type=SC&Phase=1&Year=09&Begin=s&Base=b&Num=916 91 http://childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/childcare-search-results/?DistanceValue=1&distancemeasure=miles&searchstring=Lydney, Gloucestershire, England, UK 92 these statistics are based on the parish of Lydney 93 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=549268&c=LYDNEY&d=14&e=15&g=448000&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1291808370093&enc=1&dsFamilyId=27 94 the percentages below were calculated by FODDC officers based on census statistics

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4 . Lydney

Sector Approximate % of population employed 4.157 In both sets of statistics, manufacturing and retail are the main industrial/business sectors in the area. Mining and quarrying 0.22% Retail Context Fishing 0% 4.158 Lydney is considered to be the strongest of the four market towns in terms of retail. Industries of employment in Lydney from largest to smallest Lydney is, however, relatively low in a regional retail hierarchy. Bristol is the main centre in the regional hierarchy, with Cheltenham and Gloucester being of sub-regional significance. The four (95) 4.156 The number of VAT and PAYE registered units in the area is listed below by industry market towns of the Forest of Dean District are designated as principal town centres, providing (96) group, from the largest group to the smallest group . for local shopping needs and acting as focal points for development and service provision. In the case of the Forest of Dean, the market towns are relatively close together, creating a degree of Industry Number of units competition between them.

Production 60 4.159 Lydney is the largest of the Forest towns both in terms of population and of retail space, with circa 7,310m2 of A1 (retail and services) floorspace and circa 9,540m2 of total retail space. Retail 55 To put this in context, Ross on Wye has circa 28,490m2 of retail space and Chepstow has circa 2 Professional, scientific and technical 45 19,200m of retail space.

2 Construction 40 4.160 Lydney has very small retail units of on average 175m . Once large supermarkets are excluded from this average, the figure drops to 33m2. Small units of this size are generally not Accommodation and food services 30 attractive to national and major retailers. A 2009 study indicated that Lydney has a low level of vacancy at 5%. A more recent land use survey shows that there are 21 vacant units/buildings Business administration and support services 30 for various uses on or near the High Street. Recent studies have also shown that Lydney has a below average proportion of shops and financial services and has an above average proportion Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services 30 of take aways. Motor trades 25 4.161 Lydney retains a high level of convenience shopping, some 75%, from its catchment Agriculture, forestry and fishing 20 area. Convenience shopping refers to goods bought on a regular basis, usually for immediate consumption, such as food, tobacco, newspapers, drinks and magazines. Of the £34.7million of Wholesale 20 convenience goods turnover in Lydney, some £25million flows to the Tesco store, a further £9.2million flows to Somerfield and The Co-operative, leaving approximately £0.5million flowing Transport and storage 20 to local and independent stores in Lydney. Information and communications 20 4.162 Lydney is less successful at retaining comparison shopping. Comparison shopping refers Property 20 to non-food items such as clothing, shoes, hardware, furnishings, etc for which consumers are more likely to travel and are likely to compare prices before making a choice. Lydney retains Health 20 approximately 21% of this type of shopping, with the remainder flowing to other centres such as Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bristol. Lydney does, however,have the highest comparison goods Finance and Insurance 10 turnover in the district at £13.1million. Much of this is derived from personal and luxury goods Education 10 and Lydney loses out to other centres for clothing and furniture.

VAT or PAYE units by industry group

95 Forest of Dean 009 (Middle Layer Super Output Area), which is somewhat bigger than the parish of Lydney 96 http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=281808&c=GL15+5PE&d=140&e=9&g=448162&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1295355151812&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2066

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4 . Lydney

4.163 This leakage of comparison goods is experienced by other market towns in the south Pine End Works, Harbour Road (derelict factory) west, close to sub-regional centres. Retention of comparison goods could be improved, but it is unrealistic to compete with major shopping towns such as Cheltenham, Gloucester and Bristol Lydney Industrial Estate, Harbour Road (industrial/commercial units and it is unlikely that significant retail warehousing will become a feature of the retail market in the Forest of Dean District and in Lydney. Federal Mogul and former Foundry, Tutnalls Street (partly in use)

4.164 A recent study shows that a high proportion of visitors to Lyndey are retired people and Train Station, Station Road (storage and transport depot) that most visitors visit to shop for food. A below average proportion of visitors come to Lydney to shop for leisure, work or other purposes. A high proportion of visitors travel by car and in Thompson and Thompson, Highfield Road (garage and repairs) general, most shoppers visit Lydney for only 1 to 2 hours. Few come to Lydney for the day. These results are consistent with a town that is predominantly used for food shopping, that fails Mead Lane Paper Mill, Church Road to retain comparison shopping and is not considered a retail destination in its own right(97). Watts Industrial Tyres, Church Road Commercial and Business Context Whitecross Business Park 4.165 Traditionally the Forest of Dean has relied on agriculture, mining and production. These sectors are in decline nationally. The Forest of Dean is not well represented in the growth sectors 4.168 There are also several allocated employment sites, including: of the economy, namely, financial and business services, retail and tourism. The Forest of Dean tends to have a high proportion of Small to Medium Enterprises, with 75% of businesses employing Land at Hurst Farm (15ha - policy (R)F. Lydney 7) 4 or fewer staff and only 55 businesses employing more than 50 staff(98). Land at Mead Lane (7ha - policy (R)F.Lydney 8) 4.166 Lydney has a strong industrial heritage, partly due to the importance of the harbour for transporting coal and other products. The Core Strategy indicates that although allocated Rear of Pine End Works (5.8ha - policy (R)F.Lydney 9) employment land is intended for B1 (offices, research, light industry), B2 (general industry) and B8 (wholesale warehouses, distribution, repositories) uses, a diversification into other uses that Land at Harbour Road (23ha - policy (R)F.Lydney 10) do not compete with the town centre can be considered. The Core Strategy notes that

4.169 Each of these allocated sites is the the subject of a specific policy in the Local Plan. The Lydney like the other forest towns is in competition with other centres, some of which can site at Harbour Road is the subject of particular constraints, restricting development to land raised provide locations which are more attractive to business (eg Gloucester) and some of which above the surrounding flood levels. can provide subsidies with which the Forest of Dean cannot compete (eg south east Wales). This further justifies the aim of the strategy in broadening the economic base. One way it can do this is to use the town's natural assets to attract development. This will then help through the changing perception of the town and the availability of quality sites. It is expected that areas within the AAP area will be especially suitable for uses new or presently under represented in the town which will broaden its economic base.

Forest of Dean District Core Strategy, paragraph 7.24

4.167 There are several existing employment/commercial sites in Lydney, some of which have potential for expansion, including:

The Marina, Harbour Road (industrial/commercial units)

97 This section is based on Market Town Benchmarking; Lydney (2009) and The Forest of Dean District Retail Study (2008) 98 Forest of Dean Marketing & Workspace Project Findings Report (2007)

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5 . Lydney Area Action Plan

5 Lydney Area Action Plan 5.6 The proposed golf course, which is south of the bypass, is included in the Area Action Plan as it will provide an important recreational resource. The inclusion of the golf course also allows Introduction for the inclusion of Naas Lane, which connects the harbour with residential areas to the south-east of the town. 5.1 As set out in section 1.4 of this document, the purpose of the Lydney Area Action Plan, as envisaged by the draft Core Strategy is 5.7 The industrial areas to the west of the railway station, Whitecross School and the adjoining residential estate, the existing residential areas to the east and north of Lydney and the proposed To promote mixed use development residential areas to the east of Lydney were not included in the Area Action Plan. These areas were not included because To develop or redevelop underutilised land and to adapt redundant buildings the Area Action Plan could not influence significant change in these locations, or To create an area between the harbour and the town centre containing recreation, employment the area is substantially developed and would not benefit from inclusion, or and housing the future of the area was already determined in recent planning applications.

To improve links between the harbour and the town centre Land Use Survey

To improve the town centre 5.8 A land use survey was carried out on within the Area Action Plan boundary on the 15th September and the 2nd November 2010. The purpose of a land use survey is to ascertain the To allocate land for 200 dwellings, mixed employment, recreation and tourism/leisure together type and location of uses and to determine the level of vacancies. The survey was limited to with retail uses in the town centre. ground floor level.

5.9 Various uses were grouped into generic categories. The categories used in the Lydney 5.2 The boundary of the Area Action Plan was determined by considering the main issues in survey were: Lydney and by considering the areas that had not progressed under the Local Plan 2005. Retail: includes food shops, comparison goods 5.3 The Area Action Plan boundary incorporates the town centre as defined under the Local Plan. The town centre has several attractive buildings and features but lacks a central focus. Commercial: includes pubs, restaurants, services such as solicitors, hairdressers and The main street is dominated by traffic and the town may benefit from a more varied retail offer. mechanics and financial institutions Naas Lane community centre may offer an opportunity for development and to provide improved community facilities. Community/Recreation uses: includes churches, sports clubs and facilities, schools, health services, commercial gyms 5.4 The harbour is a significant historic feature in the development of the town and an existing resource for informal recreation. The adjoining industrial areas at Lydney Industrial Estate and Residential: All dwellings Pine End Works are located on Harbour Road. Pine End Works, in particular is underutilised and would benefit from redevelopment. To date there is little interest in reviving industrial uses on Employment: All employment or industrial uses. All industrial units and sites. this site. It occupies an important location within the Area Action Plan boundary, as it is close to the dock and the estuary and it has a frontage onto the harbour. 5.10 The survey shows that there are approximately 21 vacant units and buildings on or near 5.5 The area between Lydney Industrial Estate and the town centre largely consists of open the main street. This figure includes all uses and not only retail and commercial units. The survey space, with some existing development along Church Road, Station Road and Harbour Road. shows that there is a higher proportion of commercial units than retail units along or near the main These areas are likely to remain as open space for recreational purposes. It is intended that street. these spaces will be improved to create a greater connection between the harbour and the town centre. The housing near the railway station is of historic interest and will contribute to creating 5.11 There is a greater concentration of retail and commercial units east of the railway line a link between the town centre and the harbour. towards Newerne. To the west of the railway line towards Hill Street and High Street, there is a higher proportion of residential and community/recreation uses. There are also large gaps in the building line to the west of the railway line, in the form of car parks and buildings which are set back from the street.

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5 . Lydney Area Action Plan

5.12 Industrial and employment uses are concentrated to the south. Pine End Works is mostly 5.19 The main areas susceptible to flooding within the Area Action Plan include the Lydney unused(99) and some 35 of the 72(100) units in Lydney Industrial Estate are currently unoccupied. Recreation Trust grounds, the lakes south of the bypass, a narrow strip along Plummer's Brook There are also some unoccupied units in the Marina Industrial Estate. Anecdotal evidence and Harbour Road. These areas are unlikely to be earmarked for significant development due suggests that there is a very significant increase in vacant units due to the current recession (101). to the nature of the existing uses and the restrictions set out in national planning policy.

5.13 There are relatively few derelict buildings within the Area Action Plan boundary and very 5.20 It should be noted that existing industrial land off Harbour Road, including Pine End Works, few within the vicinity of the main street. The main area of dereliction is Pine End Works. is not affected by flood risk. The access to these lands along Harbour Road may be affected by flooding. Flood Risk

5.14 According to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (102), flooding in the district is influenced by rivers, by the tidal estuary of the Severn and the topography and geology of the district.

5.15 Lydney is located on low lying land near the estuary and in addition to the River Lyd, there are several minor watercourses in Lydney and within the Area Action Plan boundary. Lydney is, therefore, at risk of tidal flooding and of tide locking. Tide locking occurs when river and estuary water levels are high and the rivers are unable to drain efficiently into the estuary. The risk of tidal flooding has been mitigated, however, by flood defences along the estuary. Some of the rivers in Lydney still pose a risk, however, especially when the watercourses become blocked with debris.

5.16 The Forest of Dean District Council prepares a Flood Response Plan, which is reviewed annually. The next review is due in January 2011. The purpose of the Flood Response Plan is to detail the roles, responsibilities and actions to be taken in both the mitigation of and joint response to a major flooding emergency. Lydney Town Council is also preparing a Community Emergency Plan, which has not yet been published.

5.17 Flood maps, which are produced by the Environment Agency, show that large areas of Lydney and land along the estuary are effected by high level flood risk. These maps show a 'worst case scenario', should flood defences fail. These areas of land, along the Lyd, on the Lydney Recreation Trust land, south of the bypass and a large area to the south-west of the town, are considered to be functional floodplains. Development in such areas is restricted by national policy (Planning Policy Statement 25). Flooding has also occurred at Lakeside due to inadequate infrastructure.

5.18 Environment Agency flood maps are indicative and additional work has been conducted to determine the extent of flood risk around Plummer's Brook, part of which is within the Area Action Plan boundary. The study shows that flood risk along Plummer's Brooke is limited to a relatively narrow corridor (103)

99 as per email 08/11/10 100 as per email 03/11/10 101 as per email 03/11/10 102 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/ForwardPlan/documents/Flood%20Risk%20Assessment/Forest_of_Dean_District_Council_Level_1_SFRA_FINAL.PDF 103 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=7088

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5 . Lydney Area Action Plan

Contamination

5.21 Lydney has an industrial history and some areas of brownfield land within the Area Action Plan boundary may be contaminated.

5.22 The sites listed below(104) were used for quarrying, industrial uses or similar. Some of these sites may be contaminated. Further investigation is required to establish the existence and extent of contamination. Certain locations, such as the former quarry, are considered to be low risk.

Lydney Industrial Estate

Pine End Works

Railway land and station

Historic landfill at Lydney Industrial Estate

East Marsh Landfill

Federal Mogul Landfill

Former quarry, now the Boating Lake

Lydney Gasworks

Electrical Substation

Lydney Foundry

Filled ground such as former ponds, mine shafts, etc.

Flood risk in Lydney area

104 source: Forest of Dean District Council Contaminated Land Officer

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5 . Lydney Area Action Plan

Potential contaminated land

65 Forest of Dean District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011 | Lydney Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report

6 . Constraints and Opportunities

6 Constraints and Opportunities

Weakness and Constraints

6.1 Lydney has a number of weaknesses and constraints:

Dispersed urban form

Impact of vehicular traffic on the town centre

Lack of attractive retail in the town centre

Relatively poor educational attainment compared to national and district wide statistics

Relatively peripheral location in a regional and national context

Prone to flooding in some locations

Some potential for contamination

Failure to recover and grow following a decline in industry in 70's and 80's

Strengths and Opportunities

6.2 Lydney also benefits from a number of strengths and opportunities:

A high level of open space and sporting facilities

Better access to public transport than other towns in the district

A rail link

Strongest retail in the district

Built and natural heritage assets

Lydney Harbour and the Severn Estuary

Impending significant investment through section 106 agreements

Strong industrial heritage

Low crime rate

Good access to Gloucester and Chepstow

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7 . Conclusions

7 Conclusions Lydney Area Action Plan Baseline Report

7.1 The purpose of this report is to set the scene for the Lydney Area Action Plan and to identify ↓ any strengths and weaknesses that may exist. Like any town, Lydney has a number of both, Consultation which the Area Action Plan will seek to build upon and to address. ↓ 7.2 The next stages in preparing the Area Action Plan are set out below: Issues and Options Report 1. The next stage in the process will be to carry out a consultation. The consultation will be advertised on the Forest of Dean District Council website and in local media. This consultation ↓ will allow interested stakeholders to voice any concerns they have about the Lydney area, to tell the council what they value about Lydney and to suggest actions and solutions to Consultation various issues. ↓

2. The following stage is to develop an 'issues and options' report. The 'issues and options' Preferred Options Report report will take the suggestions gathered during the consultation and other evidence into consideration and will set out several options for the future development of Lydney. ↓

3. The 'issues and options' report will then be the subject of a consultation. Consultation ↓ 4. The views gathered during the consultation on the 'issues and options' report and other evidence will be taken into consideration in the development of a 'preferred options' report. Draft Lydney Area Action Plan

5. The council will then consult on the 'preferred options' report. ↓

6. The consultation on the 'preferred options' report and other evidence will be taken into Consultation consideration in the preparation of the draft Lydney Area Action Plan. ↓

7. The draft Lydney Area Action Plan will be the subject of a consultation. Independent Examination

8. The draft Lydney Area Action Plan and the results of the final consultation will be the subject ↓ of an independent examination by an inspector appointed by the government. Adoption 9. Once the inspector has review the report and made recommendations, the District Council will adopt the plan. 7.3 This baseline report can and will evolve as the process continues. The Forward Plan Team has made every effort to ensure this document is accurate and comprehensive. If you notice any omissions or errors, please let the team know by using the contact details provided in Section 1 of this document.

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8 . References and Resources

8 References and Resources Gloucestershire County Council (2003). Minerals Local Plan. Available from http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=18022 Reports Gloucestershire County Council (2004). Outcommuting from the Forest of Dean. Available from Action for Market Towns Initiative (2009). Market Town Benchmarking: Lydney. http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Improvement-Policy/documents/Community%20Profile/Travel%20to%20Work/Out_commuting_from_the_Forest_of_Dean.doc

Communities and Local Government (2010). Planning Policy 25: Development Flood Risk. Gloucestershire County Council (2004). Waste Local Plan. Available from Available from http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps25floodrisk http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=18022

Forest of Dean District Council (1989). Lydney Local Plan. Gloucestershire County Council (2007). Historic Town Survey - Forest of Dean District Archaeological Assessments: Lydney. Available from Forest of Dean District Council (1998). Forest of Dean Residential Design Guide. Available from http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=17535 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/ForwardPlan/documents/RESIDENTIAL_DESIGN_GUIDE.pdf Gloucestershire County Council (2008). Minerals Core Strategy: Preferred Options. Available Forest of Dean District Council (2005). Lydney Conservation Area Character Appraisal. Available from http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14094 from http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Planning-DC/documents/Conservation%20Areas/Current%20Appraisals/Lydney_Character_Appraisal.pdf Gloucestershire County Council (2008). Traffic Flow Diagrams Report 2008

Forest of Dean District Council (2006). Buildings at Risk Register. Available from Gloucestershire County Council (2009). Waste Core Strategy: Site Options. Available at http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/Planning-DC/documents/Conservation%20Areas/building_at_risk_2006.pdf http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13349

Forest of Dean District Council (2007). Landscape Supplementary Planning Document. Available Gloucestershire County Council (2010). Draft Local Transport Plan 3 2011- 2026. Available from fromhttp://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=100012 http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/ForwardPlan/documents/Sustainability%20Team/Landscape_SPD_Final_March_2007.pdf Gloucestershire County Council (2010). Gloucestershire Population Monitor 2010. Available Forest of Dean District Council (2009). Detailed Assessment for Lydney (air quality report). from http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/inform/index.cfm?articleid=94727 Available from http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/PestControl-FoodSafety/documents/Pollution/Detailed_Assessment_Lydney_2008.Pdf Gloucestershire County Council (2010). Historic Environment Record Search Summary Report

Forest of Dean District Council (2009). Flood Response Plan GVA Grimley (2008). Forest of Dean District Retail Study. Available from http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6486&tt=graphic Forest of Dean District Council (2010). Cabinet report 10th June 2010 - Declaration of an air quality management area in Lydney. Available from Halcrow Group Limited (2008). Forest of Dean District Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. http://meetings.fdean.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=2455. Avilable from http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6477

Forest of Dean District Council (2010). Core Strategy Pre-publication Draft. Available from Halcrow Group Limited (2009). Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment: Plummer’s Brook, http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/ForwardPlan/documents/Core_Strategy_Pre_Publication_Draft_16th_November_2010.Pdf Lydney. Available fromhttp://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=7088

Forest of Dean District Council (2010). Economic Development Strategy. Available from Lydney Area Partnership (2002). Turning the Tide at Lydney: A community strategic plan. http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6604&tt=graphic Available from http://www.lydney.org.uk/publications/LAiP_Sustainable_Futures_08_02.pdf

Forest of Dean District Council (2010). Lydney Area Action Plan Scoping Report: Sustainability Landscape Design Associates (2002). Landscape Character Assessment: Forest of Dean. Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report. Available from Available from http://fdean.limehouse.co.uk/creation/document/1637374/402375.pdf http://www.fdean.gov.uk/media/Assets/ForwardPlan/documents/Sustainability%20Team/LCA_contents.pdf

Gloucestershire County Council (1999). Gloucestershire Structure Plan. Available from Roger Tym & Partners (2005). Functional Analysis of Settlements. Available from http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3383 http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%20Documents/Functional%20Analysis/052004_SWRA_FinalReport.pdf

68 Forest of Dean District Council Draft Document, 31st January 2011 | Lydney Area Action Plan - Draft Baseline Report

8 . References and Resources

The Peter Heath Consultancy (2007). Forest of Dean Marketing & Workspace Project Findings Report.

Websites

Arriva Trains - www.arrivatrains.co.uk

British History Online - www.british-history.ac.uk

CrossCountry Trains - www.crosscountytrains.co.uk

Directgov - www.direct.gov.uk

European Road Assessment Programme - www.eurorap.org

English Heritage - www.english-heritage.org.uk

Forest of Dean bus timetables - http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables

Forest of Dean Family History - www.forest-of-dean.net

Forest of Dean District Council - www.fdean.gov.uk

Forest of Dean District Council planning applications - http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6448

Gloucestershire Crimemapper - http://maps.police.uk/view/gloucestershire/

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. - www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk

Government Statistics - www.statistics.gov.uk

Home Office - www.homeoffice.gov.uk

National Express - www.nationalexpress.com

National Land Use Database - http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/NLUD

Natural England - www.naturalengland.org.uk

Neighbourhood Statistics - www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk

Official Labour Market Statistics - www.nomisweb.co.uk

Ofsted - www.ofsted.gov.uk

Online Historical Population Records - www.histpop.org

Ports and Harbours of the UK - www.ports.org.uk

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