The people living in one of the oldest forests in England are concerned with the move by their council to declare the property as a UNESCO biosphere.

On 19th March, Forest of Dean District Council (FDDC) declared that it was preparing a formal application to acquire the status, which is enjoyed by some other parts of the world.

However, it has been objected to in the hearing of people, and it is feared that under such a status, the rights of way and historic free mining rights of people living near areas would be compromised.

The authority insisted that such rights would not be changed at any rate and that the local groups would be consulted on the decisions taken in future concerning the area.

The UNESCO Biosphere designation, which is granted to an area, signifies that it has been internationally acknowledged as a sustainable development learning place, where both people and nature are in a healthy relationship.

However, resident Steve Dunford has expressed his concerns that the move is being spearheaded by the wildlife and environmental groups with little input from the common man in the town.

“Though he has an open mind on the proposal,” he said, “the Forest would be better protected with classification as a National Landscape. Better than the designation that contains no legal restrictions but vaguely suggests them.”

“There is hardly any hard information concerning what living in the biosphere would do to ordinary lives now and in the future.”

‘This isn’t approval’

It was resident Simon Lewis who asserted that there was insufficient information available about the proposal, with only 3/4th of the entire population in the area ever having heard of the bid.

One report compiled on the feedback indicates that the council received 519 responses to the consultation.

According to the latest ONS population statistics, by the year 2024, the number of people residing in the district will have almost reached 89,000, which is less than 1 per cent of the Forest residents who took part in the survey.

“You could not have popular support of half a per cent of the people,” he added.

Lewis mentioned that he would prefer that the application be put on hold as more information is exchanged and individuals make an informed decision.

Forest of Dean District Council cabinet member who is in charge of the climate emergency, Chris McFarling, indicated that it was more about creating a permanent legacy in the area.

He said, “biospheres are a good place to innovate and have a positive long-term well-being.”

“The application of the Forest of Dean to become a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO would enable us to build on a firmer economic foundation, generate numerous prospects and advantages to local people and businesses, and, in particular, safeguard our traditional values.”