Josh Layton

Hundreds of Forest of Dean residents have signed an open letter urging the district council to rule out the proposed 3,500-home Glynchbrook settlement from its new local plan. Residents and the United Against Glynchbrook group argue that the site is car-dependent, lacks essential infrastructure, could harm nearby historic settlements and is unsuitable under updated national planning criteria. They propose accommodating housing through expansion of Lydney, a smaller expansion of Tutshill and additional smaller sites. The council withdrew its previous draft plan after more than 3,600 consultation responses and is now preparing a new blueprint for over 13,000 homes during the next 20 years.

Worcestershire councillor Martin Allen has left the Green Party to join the Liberal Democrats, criticizing Green leader Zack Polanski for expressing sympathy for activists convicted over a protest at Elbit Systems near Bristol while allegedly failing to show similar concern for injured police sergeant Kate Evans. Allen said he would not trigger a costly by-election before the next local elections. Liberal Democrat leader Dan Boatright-Greene welcomed him, while local and national Green Party representatives expressed disappointment but highlighted the party's growth. The incident's main defendant, Samuel Corner, received a seven-year, eight-month sentence.

A protester arrested in Parliament Square while demonstrating against the proscription of Palestine Action under terrorism laws contacted West Mercia Police to praise the compassion shown by the officer who detained her. Sergeant Richard Thomas said the message was passed to the officer and that the chief constable had been informed. The officer was part of a West Mercia team assisting the Metropolitan Police during demonstrations in London.