ANOTHER milestone on the controversial road to the development of the Cinderford Northern Quarter should be passed tomorrow (Thursday).

The Forest Council's Cabinet is expected to approve a land swap with the Forestry Commission that will allow the proposed hotel, offices, homes and industrial use.

If the swap goes ahead the Forestry Commission would hand over 19.5 acres (7.9 hectares) of land in the development.

In return the Commission would receive 81 acres in Linear Park and to the east of Valley Road.

If the transfer goes ahead the Commission would agree to dedicate all the land as public open space and to formalise the right of access on foot.

It comes as the Homes and Communities Agency announced support for the multi-million pound project from two local former miners.

Dave Harvey and Les Ruck say they are eager for the development – which will also include a new campus for Gloucestershire College and £8.9 million spine road – to go ahead.

Seventy five-year-old Dave of Parkend said: "You cannot live in the past, you have to look to the future and this is a project that is desperately needed.

"There is nothing I want more than to see this happen in my lifetime. After years of battling to bring Cinderford up to scratch, I just hope and pray that it finally goes ahead.

"I am proud to be a free miner, I am proud to be a Forester and I am proud of my heritage – but that doesn't mean that I oppose change.

"We need to bring new life to a community and landscape that has given so much for so long. And we can protect its heritage and wildlife at the same time."

Les Ruck, who is 87 and began life down the mines at the age of 16, says he is fully behind the development which the HCA and Forest Council say will unlock £100 million worth of investment.

"Mining was my whole life and I have many wonderful memories of the community it created. But this regeneration is long overdue.

"The mines have been closed now for almost fifty years and it is a damn pity that nothing has happened since.

"This area is crying out for new life and change; it is such a shame that regeneration hasn't taken place. This development will benefit the whole Forest and generations for years to come. It is about time something was given back to the community."

The detailed planning application for the new college and access road College will be submitted to Forest of Dean District Council by the (HCA) and Gloucestershire College early next month.

Graham Morgan, chair of the Cinderford Regeneration Board said: "We are at a very important stage in shaping these important proposals to bring investment, jobs and opportunities to the Forest of Dean. So it's encouraging to have such strong support from local people who have been at the heart of this community for decades."