New vision for Five Acres with new council masterplan
Forest of Dean District Council is sharing its vision for the site.
Forest of Dean District Council is sharing what it's calling an "exiciting" vision for the futures of the Five Acres site.
The plans include designs that showcase a wide range of accessible facilities, thoughtfully considered to bring people together from across the district.
Cabinet Member for Property and Projects, with oversight of Five Acres, Cllr Sid Phelps said:
“Sharing the longer-term aspirations for Five Acres is a very exciting development for the future of the local area and the wider Forest of Dean.
“To deliver phase one we have been working hard with partners at Willmott Dixon, Roberts Limbrick and Alliance Leisure to finalise designs that are both financially and environmentally sustainable. I am very pleased to say that we are now on the right path to deliver this.
“The new facility at Five Acres has been designed to cater for residents of all ages and abilities. We have also listened to and taken on board feedback from residents and community groups and have allocated space for potential future phases including a swimming pool and tennis courts, subject to further funding opportunities.
“As a council, we are excited by these new developments on the project and will be sharing more information on the phase one build over the coming weeks.”
The new phase one designs for Five Acres provides for soft play, party rooms, power assisted exercise rooms, group exercise space, a large 53-station gym and a café. There will also be a repurposing of the former Speedwell Building upper floors from the previous classrooms to create new office & community spaces, and an outreach space for Hartpury University’s Aspiration Centre, all included in phase one of the project. Outside there will be new car parking and a secure cycle parking facility.
Phase two consists of the 3G artificial pitch, floodlights and spectator area and was part of a separate successful funding submission to the Football Association in January 2025. The new pitch has been designed for football and rugby use and is the subject of a live planning application P0087/25/FUL, the decision of which will be communicated in due course.
The refurbishment and construction of the new facilities are being designed with decarbonisation and energy efficiency in mind and will include air source heat pumps, solar panels and insulation installations, and electric vehicle charging points in the new car park ensuring that Five Acres will be an asset for the community long term.