The Forest of Dean has moved one step closer to being recognised as a National Landscape.

The Glover Review was commissioned by the government to look at National Parks and Areas of National Beauty.

It was published last week and looked at how effective the designations are and how they fit with DEFRA's 25-year Environment Plan.

In 2015 Forest of Dean District Council supported the Campaign to Protect Rural England (Gloucestershire) in their quest for the Forest of Dean to achieve Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status.

In January 2019 the district welcomed Dame Fiona Reynolds, from the review panel, to see the special qualities of the Forest of Dean.

Now, the Glover Review, with its independent panel of experts under the chair of Julian Glover, has given its full support for the Forest of Dean to be designation as a National Landscape.

National landscape designation will raise the profile of the area, support the protection of its special qualities and open new opportunities for funding and partnership working.

Councillor Tim Gwilliam, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council said, "Locally we all know that the Forest of Dean is a very special place.

"Now we're on the path to being recognised nationally for the beauty of our district and its unique qualities I really welcome this report.

"I'll be writing to DEFRA this week to ask for talks to look at how we can work together over the next few months to progress and consult on the Forest of Dean being officially designated as a National Landscape."