Gloucestershire council chiefs have been given a 12-month extension to spend government funding on their plans for a new £9m leisure centre in the Forest of Dean. Plans for a new leisure centre at Five Acres near Coleford were given the go-ahead in February this year.
And work to turn the Speedwell building into community facilities and the construction of a multi-purpose sports and performance hall was expected to begin soon after. However, the project stalled. But now Forest of Dean District Council has been granted a 12-month extension on the regeneration project.
This means that the deadline to spend the grant money awarded to the District Council as part of the successful Levelling Up Fund bid, has been extended until March 2026. The council secured the extension after working closely with representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Economy cabinet member Johnathan Lane (G, Tidenham) said: “This extension is essential to provide sufficient time for us to enter into a detailed construction contract and begin the first phase of development at Five Acres.
“We remain committed to delivering a leisure and sporting facility that can be enjoyed by the local community in Berry Hill and the wider Forest of Dean.
“We will be continuing to work hard with partners to deliver this ambitious and exciting project and will continue to provide updates and communications during the process.”
Economy cabinet member Johnathan Lane said the council remains committed to delivering a leisure and sporting facility that can be enjoyed by the local community in Berry Hill and the wider Forest of Dean.
(Image: FoDDC)
Former council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents), who is one of the councillors who represents Berry Hill, said he welcomed the news of the extension. He has asked council leaders that they ensure appropriate level of officer time and dedication is given to the project.
And he hopes they can “get a spade in the ground” by spring 2025. “It’s a really good thing. We are glad that they have got the extension as it takes a bit of the pressure off.
“We had a meeting with the leadership last week and received assurances that once again they see it as a priority. We all want to make sure that site is developed.
“Hopefully they will follow the suggestions we’ve made and we are really hopeful we can get a spade in the ground at some point in spring next year. That’s what we’ve got to aim for. We can’t just hang around any longer.”
Former council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill) says is pleased with the 12-month extension to spend the government funding on the Five Acres redevelopment
In addition to this, work at the site has been continuing, with recent developments involving the removal of rubble piles from the site being re-used in local projects, including being used to form part of a new access road near Steam Mills, on land owned by Cinderford Town Council.
Additionally, an agreement was also made with local contractor MF Freeman to clear and re-use rubble from the remaining stockpiles on site, this has also been used in local building projects. In January 2025, the council will submit their bid to the Football Association for financial support towards the 3G pitch at Five Acres.
The playing pitch area will feature floodlights and a spectator area, which will be subject to a separate planning application as part of phase two of the project. Details of this application will be announced by the council in due course.