Please note that this event is open to all members and non members.
Core CPD Framework:
- Climate Change and Environmental Planning
- Health & Wellbeing
- 1.5 hours CPD
Event Description
Escape to the stunning lakeside setting of Mallards Pike in the Forest of Dean this September with Gloucestershire young planners. Our day will start with a talk from Forest of Dean District Council which will cover how the Council balances the promotion of tourism and recreation for social and economic benefits with the preservation and protection of one of the country’s surviving ancient woodlands.
Hear more about how Forest of Dean District Council is working to have the Forest of Dean designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in recognition of its natural spaces and sustainable practices, and what that designation would mean both economically and socially.
After our talk, see this balance in action either by taking on the Treetop challenge at Go Ape, or for the less adrenaline fuelled among us by hiring a leisure bike (or putting on your running gear if you prefer!) to cycle along the 9 mile Colliers trail, and completing a scavenger hunt based around our theme for the day.
We will contact you after booking to confirm your choice of activity. If we don’t hear from you, we will assume you wish to do go-ape.
After burning off some energy, join us for a picnic lunch and a short talk led by SF Planning where they will discuss an application for tourist accommodation and some of the issues which arose around environmental protection. There will also be an opportunity to discuss more informally how the planning system can support tourism and also aid the protection of the forest environment.
There will also be an option to stay for another hour in the afternoon and participate in a litter picking walk exploring some of the trails around Mallards Pike further. This is an initiative run by Go ape to minimise the impact of visitors to the forest. Please confirm if you would like to do this.
Learning outcomes
- Consider how planning interacts with the protection of the environment and some of the specific considerations for developments within protected woodlands.
- Explore how good planning can promote health and wellbeing.
- Explore how planning can deliver economic benefits through increased tourism and how that is managed against environmental protection aims.
Programme
- 8.30am – Registration
- 8.45am – Talk on tourism and the environment led by Forest of Dean District Council starts at woodland shelter (next to go ape) – talk ends 9.40
- 10.00am – Go Ape treetop challenge OR Colliers cycling trail and scavenger hunt
- 1.00pm – Picnic lunch at woodland shelter and lunchtime talk on experiences gaining planning permission for tourist development led by SF Planning followed by informal discussion on how planning can facilitate tourism and manage impacts on the environment.
- 2.00pm – Forest litter collecting walk (optional)
- 3.00pm - End
Catering
- Lunch & a cold drink will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle too. T&C may purchased from the on site cafe.
This event is kindly sponsored by
and subsidised by Gloucestershire Young Planners
Accessibility
- Parking is available at Mallards Pike car park half way along the road between Parkend and Blakeney. (Forestry England – charges may apply) What3Words location.
- Nearest train stations is at Lydney (approx. 6 miles away). There is a bus stop approx. 1 mile away with a service between Lydney and Cinderford – we would advise checking in advance as the service is not particularly frequent. Lift shares can potentially be arranged so please get in touch if this is something you’d like to discuss.
- Whilst the location for the talk and lunch will be accessible, the high ropes course is unsuitable for those with mobility issues.
- There are breakout spaces available.
- There is a disabled toilet available.
- For more information on accessibility, visit the venue's website here.
