Cllr Gill Moseley

22/02/2026

THE ROBIN BOOKABLE BUS
Here is the more detailed map for the Newent area. Please refer to my first post on Aug 9th or the website for more information;
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/

22/02/2026

THE ROBIN BOOKABLE BUS
Here's the map showing stops for the Mitcheldean and A40 area.
For more information, see my earlier post or visit the website:
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/

22/02/2026

THE ROBIN BOOKABLE BUS
Here's the map showing stops in the Highleadon to Highnam, Hartbury and Maisemore area.
For more information, see my earlier post or visit the website:
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/

22/02/2026

THE ROBIN BOOKABLE BUS
And here's a map showing stops in the Dymock, Bromesberrow and Redmarley area:
Please refer to my earlier post or the website for more information.
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/

22/02/2026

THE ROBN BOOKABLE BUS
Here's the map showing stops in the Staunton, Upleadon and Pauntley areas. For more information, see my earlier post or visit the website:
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/

21/02/2026

TODAY, MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY, BETWEEN 3PM AND 6PM at the Pavilion in Watery Lane, come and tell the planners what you think Newent needs when over1000 new houses are proposed to be built here in the town within the next twenty years.
(If you are thinking "I did this already last year," I am sorry to say that this new consultation is needed because the government is demanding an 82% uplift in our housing target numbers.) Please come (again) and state your views on the revised proposals.

Here is a list of all the remaining sessions across the district:

23 February 2026 - Newent Community Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Watery Lane, Newent GL18 1QA (3:00pm – 6:00pm)
25 February 2026 – Sedbury and Beachley Village Hall, King Alfreds Road, Sedbury, NP16 7AG (3:00pm – 6:00pm)
28 February 2026 – Huntley Village Hall, North Road, Huntley, GL19 3DU (9:00am - 12noon)
02 March 2026 - Redmarley Village Hall, Redmarley, GL19 3HS (3:30pm - 6:30pm)
04 March 2026 - Coleford District Council Offices, High Street, Coleford, Glos, GL16 8HG (3:00pm – 6:00pm)

The big difference this time is that two new settlements (villages) are proposed at Churcham and at Glynchbrook (at junction 2 of the M50) as well as an increase in the number of houses that other proposed sites will need to take, like Newent.

The new settlements will grow to 2,000 houses at Churcham (and Tewkesbury Borough Council is likely to add 2.5K more on adjacent land), and at Glynchbrook, where the number required is 3.5K houses.

We don't think these numbers or locations are feasible or sustainable. Affordable homes can be demanded by planners but developers can wriggle out of those obligations far, far too often in a planning system which is not fit for purpose.

Another very sore point is the lack of in-depth consultation and round-table discussion with your elected members by the cabinet member who leads on planning. We need to look at alternative options - different sites (some might come up in this year's call for sites -the SHELAA) or a much more robust plea for a reduced target from government due to our land constraints, for instance.

This is why a vote of no confidence was lodged at the FoDDC Full Council meeting on 19th February, It was defeated by one vote but the Leader must take note of the serious situation that led to this high-level expression of distrust in the making of this draft plan.

This was never going to be an easy task. For fifty years, successive governments have not built enough homes. But it cannot be solved by indiscriminate allocation of housing targets. We need homes that are fit for the future not a hastily put together building programme that means houses are likely to be built in the wrong places without the necessary infrastructure or employment opportunities, leaving a terrible legacy for our children.
If you can't get to the drop-in session, please have a look at the plans (it is a long document but search for the Newent section and the new settlements to save time). You can email or send a letter instead of filling in the questionnaire. https://www.fdean.gov.uk/about-the-council/having-your-say/current-consultations/revised-draft-local-plan-consultation/

As a council and planning authority, we need to think again!

11/02/2026

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RE-ORGANISATION - your views?

The Government has decided to abolish all county and district councils in England and replace them with unitary authorities. This means that all services currently provided by Gloucestershire County Council and the six district/borough/city councils including Forest of Dean District Council, will be provided instead by one unitary council. The government wants to know which of three options Gloucestershire residents prefer:

1. One countywide council or

2. Two councils splitting the county East-West (Cheltenham/Tewkesbury/Cotswold and Stroud/Gloucester/Forest of Dean) or

3 Two councils comprising Greater Gloucester. and the rest of the county.

Follow the link below to give your views. The consultation is open until March 26th. Background information is available on the website and you can respond in three ways - by filling in the online questionnaire, by email or by letter.

There are many strong views about whether this should happen at all but if Local Government Re-organisation goes ahead, I believe we should prepare for it rather than have it done to us.

In various parts of the county, some think that a split of some sort would be of more benefit. The County Council, together with Tewkesbury, Stroud and Cotswold councils all support the one unitary model, as I do. Cheltenham is vying with Gloucester and wants to be leading the East model (Option 2). Gloucester would prefer to avoid splitting itself in two with an East-West model (it straddles two district boundaries at the moment) and is very reluctant to lose an element of its historic City authority status, so has prepared its own plan (Option 3).. The Forest of Dean District Council stuck its head in the sand and declared that it wanted none of the above. In my experience, the one unitary model (Option 1) is the preferred choice of most of those parish councils and individuals to whom I have listened. That chance to reflect those views was lost in what can best be described as a protest vote. at FoDDC. The government will ultimately decide, but wished to hear from residents in this consultation exercise as well as from the various councils who were asked first of all.

There is little mention of the next stage of Local Government Re-organisation and Devolution. This is about joinng a strategic mayoral authority of which every unitary authority will have to be a part eventually. That is not an elected authority but a combination of unitaries. However, the mayor of that larger strategic/combined authority is elected (like Manchester, Birmingham or the West of England Combined Authority (WECA)}. The government intends to deliver major funding through these mayoral authorities - that's what the Devolution bit is about but that's a story for another time.

By the way, this consultation is happening at more or less exactly the same time as the public consultation for the revised Forest of Dean draft Local Plan. You are forgiven if there is any confusion! I shall be posting about that next.

I am happy to talk through any aspects of this consultation. Just give me a ring on 01531 820826. Leave a message if I'm out and I'll get back to you asap.

Information has been circulated in a previous Focus newsletter throughout my Newent County Council Division already when residents views were being sought by all councils on what was important about where you live and travel as well as how well you tbought the services were being delivered.

So I urge you to take a few minutes to read more about the options and then respond in whatever way you find best. Maybe sit down with someone else and discuss the options and questions and get yourself a cup of tea or coffee to keep you going!

https://futuregloucestershire.org.uk/ (information and link)

Welcome to Gloucestershire. On the 'Your Gloucestershire' pages, you can find out all relevant details about the district you live in from council tax to local activities to emergency services.

31/01/2026

WATERY LANE - Temporary traffic lights.

Just to let you know that this work is connected with the non-functioning street lights - all eight of them near the Recreation Ground.

Thanks to all who reported them on FixMySteet either through the website or the App. As nothing appeared to have been done, and at least a week had passed, I rang the Highways emergency line to ask for immediate action as the lack of light made it dangerous for any pedestrians after dark.

I was told shortly afterwards that Highwsys were waiting for Western Power to fix the electrical fault that was the cause of the problem and their deadlines were not in the same 'urgent' category. They turned up as promised last Wednesday. I stopped to speak to the three workers but they were having difficulty finding the fault. They now think they have the location and are waiting for a spare part....

Meanwhile, they have installed temporary traffic lights to maintain safe working and driving. Well done to the two cars parked right in front of the traffic lights coming from town on Saturday afternoon!! Presumably rugby supporters.

Our town clerk has also been chasing these repairs so thanks to him as well as to those members of the public who took time to report the problem in the first place.

So please go to FixMyStreet online or download the app to report any faults on the Highways. The more people do this, the greater the pressure on the teams who need to fix the faults.

Before comments come streaming in about other problems, please know that the new Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance is livid about the levels of shoddy workmanship, repeated failure of pothole repairs and much more. His wants to properly resurface as many roads as possible within the very limited budget rather than keep repairing potholes, restructure and simplify the Highways department and give monitoring of the work a much higher priority. This will take time but changes are coming for the better.

14/12/2025

Yes - it was a Nutcracker moment to go with the other well-known festive music in the first half of our Newent Orchestra's Christmas Concert at St Mary's Church yesterday. Lovely concert and well-attended.

In the interval came mince pies and mulled wine (and a generous raffle of course) followed by Schumann's 1st Symphony in Bb. This proved to be a deep dive into the orchestral colour, dynamics and tempo that go to make up a four-movement traditional symphony. Expertly conducted and led by Toby Lazenby and Jane Osbeldiston respectively. Thank you so much!!

14/12/2025

We all want a thriving high street for our market towns and it has rarely been more difficult for owners of small shops to survive.

So please support our local shops in Newent.

It's been calculated that if every adult in the Forest of Dean spent just £5 a week in local shops instead of online or at large supermarkets, it would add over £9 million to our local economy. That’s money that supports jobs, keeps our towns vibrant, and helps create a stronger, more sustainable community.

Today I popped into our post office to get my Christmas stamps and some loose veg. The new owner is adamant that he wants customers to be able to buy small quantities of unpackaged fruit and veg and so sought the right franchise for the former Spa shop. A new shop sign is on its way in case you wondered!

If this is your first Christmas in Newent, and we have a number of new residents across the town, do come and find out what the local shops have to offer. You may be surprised to find that certain staple items are no more expensive than in the larger chains and there may be offers and bargains at the end of the day. Try out the excellent cafés and coffee shops, and many other independent businesses who depend on local customers.

And if you are looking for Christmas presents on a budget, why not try the Charity shops. There are some fabulous bargains to be found that won't break the bank. Then it's giving twice.

Happy Christmas shopping in Newent!

26/11/2025

LOCAL CONSULTATION ON NOW - PROPOSAL FOR 280 HOUSES ON LAND AT CONIGREE COURT, ROSS ROAD.
Have you seen this leaflet which the applicant states is being delivered in the area of Newent between Culver Street and Ross Road?
The consultation is TODAY - Wednesday 26th November from 3pm - 7pm at The Community Centre by Ross Road traffic lights. Parking at the rear.
Come and make your views known and find out more about this substantial proposal for additional housing and employment in Newent.

If you can't make the consultation event, you can still find out about it and respond at: https://www.blackboxplanning.co.uk/land-at-conigree-court/

25/11/2025

PROPOSAL FOR 280 HOUSES ON LAND AT CONIGREE COURT, ROSS ROAD.

Have you seen this leaflet which the applicant states is being delivered in the area of Newent between Culver Street and Ross Road?

The consultation is tomorrow - Wednesday 26th November from 3pm - 7pm at The Community Centre by Ross Road traffic lights. Parking at the rear.

Come and make your views known and find out more about this substantial proposal for additional housing and employment in Newent.