Gorsley and Kilcot Parish Council has launched its first ever parish plan, which highlights problems to the tackled and targets to be achieved over the next ten years.

Parish clerk Margaret Highton said she hoped it would prove a positive factor in the council's bid to gain quality parish status from the Government.

This would mean that the parish, only formed three years ago, would take on more responsibility from the Forest of Dean District Council, as well as being in the position to access more funding.

Chairman of the parish plan steering committee, Jenny Carling, said the basis for many of the recommendations was the parish appraisal carried out in 2001, in which 80 per cent of households in a parish of 200 residents responded.

She said: "The parish plan, in conjunction with the parish appraisal, identifies what we specially value and wish to preserve and also change."

A community plan forum, held in September, also helped take on board the views of parishioners.

Major issues identified include the need to tackle speeding and heavy traffic on the B4221, between Newent and Junction 3 of the M50, environmental improvements to footpaths and common land around the parish.

Maps for two new circular walks have also been produced for distribution with the plan, which has now been sent out to every household in Gorsley and Kilcot.