Housebuilder gets green light for 200 new homes in Forest of Dean

Housebuilder Bellway is set to start work on a new development of 200 homes in the Forest of Dean.

The work in Lydney is due to start following Forest of Dean District Council’s approval of the scheme.

Bellway’s plans for the Forest Walk development, located to the east of the A48, secured planning consent last month.

Forest Walk will bring 170 private and 30 affordable homes to Lydney.

The development will enhance ecology and wildlife on the land, while creating natural open spaces which will be accessible to the wider community. This includes a green corridor leading from the north of the site through to a large area of parkland to the south.

The energy-efficient homes will have solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

Simon Hughes, development manager for Bellway, said: “Forest Walk will be a sustainable development that helps to meet the needs of local people looking for their first or next home. This includes private and affordable housing, with a broad choice of house designs and sizes.

“In addition to providing homes, green spaces and investment in infrastructure, the development will create and support jobs in the Forest of Dean and across Gloucestershire.”

Forest Walk is part of a wider scheme of 320 homes, employment land and a new neighbourhood centre, which will generate more than £2.9m investment in education, roads and other services.

Bellway previously built 90 homes at Archer’s Walk in Lydney and had been seeking more land in the area.

Simon added: “Lydney is an attractive area to people living across Gloucestershire, South Wales and Bristol. As the gateway to the Forest of Dean, the town requires sensitive redevelopment to meet the demand for homes. We are pleased Forest of Dean Council recognised that Forest Walk can deliver this.”

Bellway will build three and four-bedroom homes for private sale at Forest Walk, with affordable homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses.