Enthusiasm builds for flagship leisure site at Five Acres in Forest of Dean

PLANS for a flagship leisure site in Five Acres have moved a step closer following community talks.

On Thursday a scrutiny enquiry was held at Lakers School, at Five Acres, allowing people to have their say on proposals to move the college from Coleford to Steam Mills, Cinderford.

The Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is working to progress Gloucestershire College’s move to the Northern Quarter, while campaigners are keen to retain a community hub at Five Acres. They want to keep facilities which include a swimming pool, theatre and leisure centre.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Jamie Elsmore, chairman of Five Acres Not For Sale (FANS), said the event was a positive one and he is looking forward to the future.

He said: “It went really well, we felt we were listened to. They now know we are keen to work with them.

“We are keen to make a flagship site for the district in Five Acres. We think by keeping the facilities we already have, people will come from all over.

“The talks went well, but words are cheap. We now need to see some action.”

FANS was formed originally to oppose Gloucestershire College leaving the Coleford site, but they have since switched their emphasis, and are now bidding to secure a sustainable community hub in its place.

However, there are still a number of concerns should the college move get the go ahead.

Julie Griffiths, deputy headteacher of St John’s C of E Academy, in Coleford, had some issues with the proposals.

She said: “If the Five Acres complex was to close, there would be many children from our school who would not go swimming at all. The closest pool would be in Cinderford or Lydney, at least a bus ride away, and some families cannot afford the far on a regular basis.”