GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is being asked to think again about the plan to sell off the Wilderness Centre at Mitcheldean and instead back an alternative proposal to let the property to a "community interest" company.

The Wilderness Project says its plans meet new national curriculum requirements while the business plan shows how the centre can be run as a profitable enterprise with no requirement for future financial assistance from the council.

Last week members of the project's board presented its final bid to acquire the centre via a "community centre asset."

The document identified £300,000 of grants and sponsorship available to restart the Wilderness as a residential environmental education centre.

It also points out that since the centre closed two years ago, national events had strengthened the case for a community transfer.

These included a requirement in the national curriculum for children to spend more time on field study trips. Additionally, closing the centre reduced opportunities for disabled young people as the Wilderness provided excellent access.

Forest MP Mark Harper is also being asked to investigate if it is possible for local and national policies to come together to enable a possible resolution to be reached.

Unless members of the council's Cabinet have a change of heart, the centre will be offered for sale on the open market on May 16.