Work to start on new leisure centre this month

8 hours ago

Tess de la MareWest of England

The scheme for the Five Acres sporting development near Coleford has faced years of delays

FoDDC A CGI image of how the Five Acres sporting development could look. A building with a light brick facade and tall windows sits in front of a car park with hedged borders — The scheme for the Five Acres sporting development near Coleford has faced years of delays

Work on a long-awaited leisure centre will start at the end of April.

Construction on the Five Acres site in Berry Hill, near Coleford, Gloucestershire, will begin on 27 April, Forest of Dean District Council has confirmed.

The council said a contract with developer Willmott Dixon had been finalised, meaning work can begin.

A spokesman for the council thanked residents for their patience with the project through years of delays.

The leisure centre on the former Royal Forest of Dean College site was first mooted in 2018, but was held up by delays to the planning process, changes to contractors and spiralling costs.

Finalised plans for the centre feature a fully-equipped gym, fitness studios and specialist facilities for people with limited mobility, as well as a soft play area and a cafe.

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The upper floors of the building are due to become office and community spaces, as well as an outreach site for Hartpury University, while outside, there will be a 3G pitch for rugby and football.

Councillor Sid Phelps, cabinet member for property and projects, said: "We fully recognise the patience that residents have shown throughout this process.

"Ensuring the scheme is both financially responsible and environmentally sustainable, both now and for the future, has been essential, and we are grateful for the continued support from local people."

The leisure centre will include a satellite site for Hartpury University

Forest of Dean District Council A computed-generated image of what the leisure centre at Five Acres will look like. It is a large, rectangular, modern building with a mix of stone and cladding on the exterior, with large windows revealing a gym where people are exercising. There is paving leading from the car park to the front door, with lots of people heading in. — The leisure centre will include a satellite site for Hartpury University

Richard David, director at Willmott Dixon, said: "This collaboration represents an important step in creating a space that will serve and support local people for many years to come.

"Supporting the local economy is a core part of our approach, and we will continue to work closely with local supply chain partners throughout the build to help create employment and development opportunities in the area."

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