SPEECH House owner Harry Kear has donated land he owns overlooking Forest Hills Golf Course for the Great Oaks Forest Hospice.

This means that subject to planning approval the ambitious and widely welcomed plan to create a pleasant respite centre for those suffering from life-threatening illnesses can go ahead.

Announcing the move at a press briefing last week project steering group chairman Sheila Evans said funding was in place and everyone was preparing to move ahead.

"The groundswell of support is looking for movement towards the building, trust fund holders with some £80,000 pledged for it are getting restless, and most important of all patients, some without the luxury of time, need everyone's support now," she said.

Mr Kear, who was unable to attend the briefing, said in a statement on behalf of Forest Hills Golf Ltd that he had offered the land without charge.

"The hospice site has been incorporated into a recent outline planning application to the Forest of Dean District Council and would overlook the fisheries lake," he added.

Before last Thursday's announcement the hospice steering committee had submitted plans for several sites within the Forest area – including land near Speech House – which were refused by district planners.