DEVELOPING and enhancing the facilities at Five Acres are top of the list for the newly-formed West Dean and Coleford Regeneration Board.

The board, made up of West Dean Parish Council, Coleford Town Council and Forest of Dean District Council, met for the first time last month.

Dave Kent, clerk to the parish council, told the Review: “Community aspirations for Five Acres are for a community and tourist sporting, recreational and cultural hub. This development will sit alongside other proposals within the district to assist in, and enable a joined up approach to, Forest of Dean development and funding opportunities.”

Cll Patrick Molyneux, Leader of the Forest of Dean District Council, said: “I look forward to us all working together and delivering the ambitious vision held by the local community for the redevelopment of the Five Acres site.” 

Cllr Tim Gwilliam (Lab, Berry Hill) added: “The board recognise the opportunities that the site, and the work already carried out by the parish council and the community, offers in terms of both tourism potential and regeneration as a whole.

“Even at this early stage we have key stakeholders in the area including Coleford Town Council, local sports clubs, educational organisations and community group FANS sitting on the board. That local, grass roots involvement alongside the valued input of our other experienced partners will be key to this particular project’s success.”