PLANNING permission has been granted for a floodlit 3G pitch at Five Acres in a major milestone in the long-running redevelopment of the former leisure site.

Approval has now been secured for the external facilities at Five Acres, including the installation of the all-weather 3G pitch and associated lighting.

The new pitch will be suitable for both rugby and football and will include a designated spectator area, significantly enhancing outdoor sports provision in the Forest of Dean.

Cabinet Member for Property and Projects, Cllr Sid Phelps, said the decision reflected growing momentum behind the scheme: “The planning approval for the new external facilities at Five Acres marks a major milestone in the project.

“We know there is great anticipation within the community about the build and with the 3G pitch now receiving the green light we are another step closer to beginning construction.

“Having listened to feedback from residents, the full designs for Five Acres ensure that it incorporates activities and facilities for everyone within the community, catering for residents of all ages and abilities.”

The 3G pitch element of the redevelopment has been made possible following a successful funding application to the Football Association in January 2025, helping to unlock the next phase of development on the site.

While approval has been granted for the external facilities, a separate planning application covering the indoor leisure elements of the scheme has already been submitted.

Cllr Phelps added: “Planning approval is an exciting step on the journey towards construction, and we’ll be sharing more on a construction start date in the near future.

“It’s important to all of us that Five Acres is a facility for the long term and is an asset for the community in the Forest of Dean for generations to come.

Planned indoor facilities include a soft play area, dedicated party rooms, power-assisted exercise facilities, group fitness studios, a fully equipped 53-station gym and an on-site café.

The upper floors of the former Speedwell Building will be refurbished to provide modern office and community spaces, alongside a new outreach facility for Hartpury University’s Aspiration Centre.

Forest of Dean District Council purchased the Five Acres site from Homes England in December 2021 for £1, following Full Council approval earlier that year.

The ambition was to redevelop the site into a council-owned destination leisure facility, expanding existing provision, improving the health and wellbeing of Forest residents and increasing visitor numbers to the area.

The council is working in partnership with adjacent landowner West Dean Parish Council, the Football Foundation and Hartpury University and College to deliver the project and improve both indoor and outdoor facilities across the site and surrounding playing fields.

Funding for the redevelopment comes from the council’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid, which also supports major projects at Hartpury’s main campus and the transformation of three prominent buildings in Cinderford town centre.

Demolition of the previous structure at Five Acres has now been completed and the site is largely cleared, ready for the next phase of redevelopment.