FORESTRY England’s top official in the Forest has insisted no decision has yet been taken on the future of Cannop and an announcement is unlikely before Christmas.

But the assurances from Deputy Surveyor Kevin Stannard were met with scepticism from more than 100 protesters who had marched to Forestry England’s Coleford headquarters on Wednesday (August 10).

Forestry England is consulting on the future of the ponds and say action must because the ponds’ dams could not withstand a “catastrophic” flood.

An option to complete remove the 200-year-old features has prompted a campaign in opposition.

More than 100 people took to the streets of Coleford to protest against the possibility of losing the ponds
More than 100 people took to the streets to protest against the possibility of losing the ponds (Tindle)

Mr Stannard spoke to the campaigners for about 25 minutes outside the offices in Bank Street.

He said: “Those dams have significant problems. We do not know, we have not decided, no decision has been taken, on which option to pursue.”

Mark Lewis, one of the campaign, responded: “We don’t believe you, Kevin.”

Mr Stannard answered: “You are welcome not to believe me but the fact is we haven’t received the feasibility studies, we haven’t yet had all the surveys back.

“All we have done so far has been open and transparent but those dams have a problem and something needs to be done about it.”

The protesters displayed placards to demonstrate their support for the campaign
Protesters young and old made placards to demonstrate their support for the campaign (Tindle)

At several points the campaigners loudly called for the dams to be repaired.

Mr Stannard said: “There are two extreme options and there are 101 million options in between taking them down entirely and replacing them but it is not going to be a replace like-for-like.

“If they re to hold back the same amount of water, they will need to be much more modern concrete monstrosities.

“Those options are still being looked at. We will not be in a position to make a decision until nearer Christmas or early in the new year.

‘So while I admire your passion, and by all means keep up the pressure, there won’t be a decision taken for a lot longer yet because we haven’t even done the feasibility study.”

Mr Stannard was asked why an independent report on the dams was not being made public.

He said there were “national protocols prevents us sharing anything that points to the vulnerability of the dams.”

The group marched from the Forest of Dean District Council offices to Forestry England’s Bank House
The group marched from the Forest of Dean District Council offices to Forestry England’s Bank House (Tindle)

The march had started from the Forest Council offices where Shaun Bick, who has also been at the forefront of the campaign said there had been “a great turnout”.

Mr Lewis said: “We’re delivering a letter to Kevin Stannard to tell him we are opposed to this crazy idea they’ve got.”