Leisure centre gets go-ahead after years of delays

Plans for a £9m leisure centre have been given the go-ahead after years of delays.

Forest of Dean District Council said it could now turn its attention to a start date for work on the indoor facilities at Five Acres in Berry Hill, near Coleford.

The centre will include a gym, soft play area and cafe as well as a satellite site for Hartpury University. Plans for a 3G pitch at the site were approved in December.

"Our aim is to create a facility that serves the community of the Forest of Dean for many years to come," said Sid Phelps, cabinet member for property and projects.

The council first secured funding for the scheme in 2021 but said the rising cost of materials meant the plans struggled to get off the ground.

Phelps said the council recognised some residents had been "frustrated" by delays, which he said were "essential" to ensure the long-term financial and environmental sustainability of the project.

The council has updated the designs for Five Acres since planning permission was previously given.

"The updated designs include a wide range of accessible features to ensure the building can be used and enjoyed by everyone in the community, whatever their age or ability," he said.

"Our aim is to create a facility that serves the community of the Forest of Dean for many years to come.

"We're looking forward to getting work under way on site and will be sharing further details about the start of construction in the coming weeks."

The leisure centre at the former Royal Forest of Dean College site will have dedicated party rooms, power-assisted exercise facilities, group fitness studios, and a fully equipped 53-station gym.

Meanwhile, the upper floors of the Speedwell Building will become office and community spaces, along with an outreach facility for Hartpury University's Aspiration Centre.

The university hopes the centre will encourage young people in the Forest of Dean to stay in education or start their own business in the area.

Willmott Dixon, the contractor for the site, is appointing sub-contractors so construction can begin, and the council said a start date "will be communicated in due course".

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.