Forest of Dean plan to build homes at Beachley Barracks a 'disaster'

Plans to build 600 homes on a soon to be vacated army barracks have been labelled a "disaster" waiting to happen by local residents.

The proposal for Beachley Barracks in Sedbury are part of a council aim to reach housing targets by 2041.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said the Forest of Dean site is set to be demolished in 2029.

Local butcher Dereck Bryant said the development could cause traffic problems for the area.

"I really think it'll be a disaster for the area," he said.

"The infrastructure is just not there. The traffic is awful as it is."

But Karen Chadwick, who works at Sedbury Space community centre, hopes the development will mean more amenities for the area.

"We run activities mainly for the older age group here in Sedbury. Quite a number of those do live in Beachley, some of them feel quite isolated down there," she said.

"I know a lot of younger people who are struggling to find housing at the moment."

The development is part of Forest of Dean District Council's aims to build 6,600 homes in the area by 2041.

But after government metrics showed 900 fewer homes needed to be built, the council searched for alternatives.

As soon as Beechley Barracks is freed up, it hopes the site might provide all the housing stock it needs.

Forest of Dean District Council member Sid Phelps said it has looked at the issue differently to previous administrations.

"You can't keep shoving a round peg in a square hole," he said.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said under current plans Beachley Barracks, home to the 1 Rifles, "is due to be disposed of in 2029".

"It is no longer suitable for the future needs of the Armed Forces," they said.

A public consultation on the plan will take place next year.

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