By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are hopes of a “domino effect” which will help finally unlock the redevelopment of Five Acres as plans for an artificial grass football and rugby pitch have been approved.
Forest of Dean District Council has granted itself permission (December 9) to build the pitch along with floodlighting, fencing and a spectator area at the site near Coleford.
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.
Development at the site, for which the council was awarded £9.2 million in regeneration funding by the previous Government in 2021, has faced many delays.
But it is hoped the development management committee’s unanimous approval of the football pitch will benefit the wider redevelopment project.
The Five Acres scheme aims to provide soft play areas, party rooms, power-assisted exercise rooms, group exercise space, a large 53-station gym, and a café.
Berry Hill ward councillor Jamie Elsmore (Progressive Independents) welcomed the news.
“Obviously, it has been a long time in the making and there has been a lot of frustration,” he said.
“But the perseverance of both Tim Gwilliam [fellow Berry Hill councillor] and myself have in recent months we’ve attended a lot of constructive meetings to try and maximise what the site is going to offer.
“There are constructive talks ongoing that take us past the initial phase.
“The talks are ongoing but the fact the planning has been passed for the 3G 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 (G, Lydbrook) also welcomed the approval.
“The current administration and senior management are very keen to make it happen,” he said.
“This will now go ahead and certainly won’t damage the case for Five Acres.
“I and the rest of the cabinet and senior management are working as hard as we can to make it happen and we are getting close to it.”