FOREST of Dean District Council Leader Tim Gwilliam is inviting members of the public to find out more about the successful £20 million Levelling Up Fund bid for the Forest in a live Q&A session this month.

Project staff from the Forest Council, Hartpury University and College and Cinderford Town Council will answer questions about the uses of the funding during the session, which will be streamed live to Facebook on January 26.

The panel will discuss the council’s redevelopment of the former Gloucestershire College site at Five Acres, works to be carried out in Cinderford High Street and the planned education centre at Hartpury University and College.

The partners submitted a joint bid for investment from the Government’s £4.8 billion fund in June last year.

The full £20 million secured in October includes £9 million for the redevelopment of Five Acres into a community and lesuire facility, £880k for the regeneration of buildings in Cinderford town centre and £10 million for a new innovation and education centre at Hartpury.

On inviting the public to express their views on the projects, Cllr Gwilliam said: "As a council, we have always looked for ways to interact with the local community and this Facebook Live Q&A is a great opportunity to hear from the community directly and answer any questions they might have.

"The successful Levelling Up Fund bid is a major step forward for the Forest of Dean and I look forward to discussing the fantastic plans with you all.

"If you have any questions or comments regarding the Levelling Up Fund, please do not hesitate to send them in, or to tune in live on Facebook on 26 January at 6pm where I will be joined by Deputy Leader of the Council Paul Hiett, Stuart Emmerson from Hartpury, Chris Brown from Cinderford Town Council and Project Manager Wendy Jackson to talk about the exciting future for the Forest of Dean."

The panel will answer questions on the work that has already been undertaken as well as plans for all three projects going forward.

Those working on the scheme will also provide details of planned events which the public can attend to find out more about "the future of the Forest of Dean".

Stuart Emmerson, Director of Business Development at Hartpury University and College, said of the Q&A: "I’m really excited to have the chance to discuss the great plans for Hartpury University and College with residents of the Forest of Dean.

"The successful Levelling Up Fund bid will allow us to create fantastic opportunities for people across the district and I look forward to sharing details of our progress so far and plans for the future."

On the regeneration of Cinderford High Street, town councillor Chris Brown added: "The successful Levelling Up Fund bid is a massive achievement for the Forest of Dean and I’m looking forward to discussing the future of Cinderford High Street, with residents of both the town and the wider community.

"I’d urge anyone who may have questions, or who may want to find out more to get involved."

The session will be streamed live on Forest of Dean District Council’s Facebook page from 6pm on January 26.

Anyone who would like to submit questions prior to the broadcast can do so by emailing [email protected].

Alternatively, members of the public can ask questions during the live stream which will be put to the partnership members to discuss.