WELL, perhaps not 50, but a splash of bold colour could help boost the fortunes of the town centre by giving it a distinctive look, it has been claimed.

Local landscape architect Jo Johnson approached Lydney Town Council with her ideas on how a combination of colours and stylish new signs could help revive the town.

Her ideas were given their first public showing during a presentation at the council's annual town meeting on the neighbourhood development plan which aims to give local people more of a say on how the area develops.

Cllr John Openshaw, who gave the presentation, said: "Jo came to the council with ideas. we were very impressed and she asked if she could develop the ideas.

"It makes it looks better and it makes it look distinctive and attractive."

Ms Johnson, who has a practice in High Street, Lydney, said similar use of bold colour has been used in towns and cities around Britain and the world.

She told the Review: "We don't have amazing buildings, there's not much of character or buildings of quality.

"Just painting them pastel colours is not going to change the feel of the town, so coming up with interesting colour schemes is important.

"This painting of shop fronts would make the most impact with the least amount of money.

"Lydney Town Council tell me a lot of the local landlords and the local neighbourhood planning group is very interested in taking this further and work with local landlords.

"You have to be bold to make that difference – the boldness of the colour takes away from the lack of interest in the actual building fabric.

"There are some really good shops in Lydney and it is making them special for people coming through and making them think it is something worth stopping for.

"There are very few voids and new shops are coming in all the time. By improving the look it would make it more attractive to tourists, make them stop and bring in more income."

The overall neighbourhood development plan this week passed a significant milestone with the go-ahead given by the Forest Council for it to go out to formal consultation prior to independent examination and public referendum.

Key policies in the plan cover issues such as town centre improvements, transport, education, healthcare, housing and the environment.

Chairman of the plan's steering group, Cllr Brian Pearman, said: "Lydney's Plan aims to ensure that Lydney's infrastructure grows with the expansion of new housing developments and industrial units to make a cohesive and prosperous town that is socially inclusive and community-minded."

The plan can be viewed on the town council's website, http://www.lydneytowncouncil.co.uk">www.lydneytowncouncil.co.uk.