A RALLYING cry to "save" Berry Hill and Coleford went out from a packed public meeting.

More than 150 people attended the meeting at Berry Hill RFC HQ to show their opposition to any plans to move Gloucestershire College's Forest campus from Five Acres to Cinderford.

The meeting was organised by the Dean Forest Voice group and West Dean Parish Council but it was made clear that the any campaign would need to be led from the community.

The major concern is that by relocating the college, Berry Hill and Coleford will lose facilities such as the leisure centre, swimming pool and theatre, leaving the way open for more housing development.

Jamie Elsmore, of Berry Hill Rugby Club, said: "We on this side (of the Forest) have been kept in the dark.

"If we do not grow a spine and get ourselves heard by the right people we are going to get steamrollered.

"By bringing in houses and taking away facilities you are destroying our community to build a new one."

He said the club had been sounded out about a potential move away from their ground.

He added: "We were approached to see if we would consider relocating – we did not initiate the conversation we just listened."

Mr John Belcher said: "How can you regenerate one area by degenerating another?"

Parish council chair Mr Ian Hendy said: "I am personally concerned about the community identity of Berry Hill.

"I have been concerned about the lack of information and the lack of consultation"

Forest councillor Andrew Gardiner said "people power" would be the key to stopping any move away from Five Acres.

He said: "This is about the sale of the Forest of Dean. We must do everything we can to save Five Acres.

"How does squandering money on a new spine road for the college help. The college is on a brilliant site and it should remain there."

College principal Dr Greg Smith was criticised for not accepting an invitation to attend the meeting.

In a letter to Dean Forest Voice he said there were no definite plans for the college to move.

The next stage will involve a feasibility study of a move to the Northern Quarter.

He said that as the other organisations involved in the Northern Quarter development would not be at the meeting "it would be pointless for me to attend as there is no new information to report relating to our possible relocation."

Dr Smith also offered to meet a small delegation to personally hear the concerns.