THE Forest Council is demanding to know why its acquisition of the former Gloucestershire College and leisure centre site from a government agency has apparently stalled.

Last October there were warnings that, unless the council moved quickly, development agency Homes England, could dispose of the site at Five Acres by other means.

But five months on, the council’s ruling Cabinet has sent a list of questions to Homes England following a further delay.

Council leaders also want a meeting with Communities Secretary James Brokenshire to discuss the hold-up.

The council is keen to take ownership of the site to develop what it sees as a state-of-the-art ‘destination’ leisure and culture facility.

Homes England says it has a legal duty to sell land for the best price it can reasonable get and to sell at a lower price, it must get approval from the Secretary of State

Leader of the council, Cllr Tim Gwilliam (Forest First, Berry Hill), said: “Officers and Cabinet members have worked diligently, initially with the Homes and Community Agency, and more recently Homes England to make the transfer of the site happen.

“We have on a number of occasions been offered dates for completion of the transfer, which have always passed by for one reason or another.

“We have now been made aware that there is to be a further delay and that the sale has now been referred to the government minister for his consideration.

The Cabinet views this potential further delay with great concern.

“As a result of yet further delay the Cabinet, on behalf of the Forest of Dean community, is today writing officially to Homes England seeking answers to a number of questions on the process and the delays that have been encountered.”

The questions the council is putting to Homes England are: Why has the matter not been progressed as agreed? Why has the matter been sent to the government minister for his attention? Who requested the matter be sent to the government minister? What correspondence has Homes England received from other organisations or individuals.

Cllr Gwilliam added: “The Forest of Dean Council and its community have waited far too long for the agreed transaction to be completed.

“The community has lost valued community services pending the development of the site.

“It understood that this would be necessary to facilitate the proposed redevelopment opportunity.

“However, a genuine people’s project has been, and continues to be, delayed. This is unacceptable to the council and the community.

“The Forest of Dean District Council Cabinet has also sought the assistance of the Local Government Association (LGA) to facilitate an urgent meeting with the Minister, Mr James Brokenshire, to enable us to stress the importance and support for the project – and hence the site – to the community of the Forest of Dean.

“The LGA has agreed to help.Cabinet is of the view that the Forest of Dean District Council has cooperated fully with Homes England and exercised extreme patience but feel that action must now be taken in the best interests of the community to ensure they are not denied the opportunity to develop a flagship project.”

A spokeswoman for Homes England said: "When Homes England sells its land, it has a legal duty to get the best price it reasonably can.

"Where we seek to sell at a lower price we are required to gain approval from the Secretary of State.”