WITH the 2015 General Election done and dusted and politics aside we now have an urgent need to focus on and consider very carefully how Newnham-on-Severn is going to progress into the latter years of the second decade of the 21st century.

Standing still is not an option.

There is a critical need to increase support for our local services and facilities, the Post Office, shop, village school, cafes, inns and our local bus service.

This can only be done by reinvigorating the community and, whether we like it or not, Newnham's population must grow and grow by at least 25 per cent.

In my opinion more new housing for young families is essential and more middle income executive homes, on a much larger scale than currently proposed.

With the new BT Broadband coming to Newnham (green boxes all round) there is an opportunity to encourage business development to the village, similar to the thriving business parks that have proved so successful for example at Maisemore and Highnam.

A substantial increase in new housing with development for employment opportunity (to save that nightmare commute to Gloucester every day) is the only sensible option and we need to now encourage the district council to promote this as one of their highest priorities.

– Gordon McDonald, Newnham.