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Gloucestershire Business News

Final curtain for theatre and leisure centre

A community leisure centre and theatre in the Forest of Dean could close unexpectedly in November after a surprise Government agency announcement.

The future of Five Acres Leisure Centre in Coleford has been up in the air for months after Gloucestershire College unveiled plans to relocate to a new site in Cinderford.

It was thought the facilities had won a stay of execution earlier this year when Forest of Dean Disctrict Council cabinet members said they had postponed making a decision in light of a report into the impact any closure would have on the local community.

A decision was not expected before September when councillors has "sufficient evidence" before them.

But now the Government agency Homes England may have changed all that.

In statement the district council said: "Regrettably we have received a recent communication from Homes England indicating that the site will not be available for access beyond November 1, 2018.

"We are continuing to communicate with Homes England to understand the position and what can be done to extend access beyond this date, whilst we conclude other work streams related to this and other sites.

"The council recognises the significant benefits that the provision of sport and leisure facilities and activities can bring to the physical, social and economic health of our communities.

"We are currently working with a community focus group to understand the impact of a leisure centre closure on the local community. Our findings from this work will form part of our Community and Equalities Impact Assessment.

"We have commissioned a company to look at leisure provision across the district to deliver a Leisure Facilities Strategy, so we can make an informed and accurate decision on the future of the Five Acres site, within the context of leisure provision for the whole district.

"We recognise that the Five Acres site has huge potential and we will continue to work with key partners and the community to produce a positive, innovative and sustainable outcome for the site and the delivery of a quality leisure provision for the district."

A statement from Homes England said: "We are working with Forest of Dean District Council and Gloucestershire College to enable the college facilities to move from the Five Acres site to the Cinderford Northern Quarter.

"We are pleased that good progress is being made with this relocation and understand that the process of closing the college's estate at Five Acres has begun.

"There are a number of different users on the Five Acres site, including the college and the leisure centre, which due to the way the site was developed share services such as power and drainage.

"We are working with the college and the District Council to determine if it's possible to separate these services so we can all understand if it's possible for the leisure centre to continue to operate once the college leaves the site."

According to reports the gym, swimming pool and Forest Theatre cost the public purse £12,500 a month to run.

West Dean Parish Council is believed to still have a long-term plan of creating a community and sports asset on the site.

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