Pitch decision means leisure scheme is 'on course'

There are hopes a "domino effect" will help unlock a £9m sports and leisure development.

Forest of Dean District Council this week granted itself planning permission to build an artificial football and rugby pitch at the Five Acres site near Coleford.

Development at the site, for which the council was awarded £9.2m in regeneration funding by the previous government in 2021, has faced many delays.

But it is now hoped the approval of the sports pitch will benefit the wider redevelopment plan which includes a soft play area, large gym, cafe and group exercise spaces.

The council unveiled a new blueprint for the expansion and development of a leisure centre in August with the aim of bringing more facilities to the area.

But it has faced delays, mainly due to revised costs caused by inflation, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ward councillor Jamie Elsmore welcomed the news of the latest planning decision - made on Tuesday - and said: "The talks are ongoing but the fact the planning has been passed for the 3G [pitch] is reassuring that we are on course to get the project up and running next year.

"We are hoping we are going to have a domino effect now things are being approved, construction can begin.

"I'm very grateful to the public for being as patient as they have been. It would be nice to see something finally happening and the site being turned around because it is a bit of an eyesore at the moment."

Environment, wildlife, heritage and culture cabinet member Sid Phelps added: "The current administration and senior management are very keen to make it happen.

"This [the new pitch] will now go ahead and certainly won't damage the case for Five Acres."

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