Major regeneration project delayed by rising costs

Plans including a £9m leisure centre at Five Acres were given the go-ahead in February

There are concerns Gloucestershire residents could be left with nothing more than a “£10m bat box” as a major regeneration project faces rising costs.

Plans for a £9m leisure centre at Five Acres and community facilities in Speedwell near Coleford were given the go-ahead in February.

But an announcement from the Forest of Dean District Council explained construction could not start yet due to inflation and the rising cost of materials.

Chief executive Nigel Brinn said that despite this, the council is committed to delivering a project "within the budget available to us".

The council has not officially confirmed how much the final bill for the project would be, but according to current estimates, if the project goes ahead unchanged there would be a funding gap of around £2m, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told.

The council is understood to have set aside £14.5m for the project but is believed to have been quoted around £16m to complete the project.

Tim Gwilliam said the project's costs have surpassed any funds available to the local authority

Former council leader Tim Gwilliam said the costs had gone “significantly above” the funding the authority has available.

Progressive Independents councillor Jamie Elsmore said he fears residents would lose out with the council sacrificing "a lot of the facilities".

“If we’re not careful we are going to end up with a £10m bat box,” he said.

Conservative councillor Alan Preest added he was worried it could become "another Cinderford Northern Quarter" - which also suffered spiralling costs.

“Perhaps the district council should be working with other authorities such as Gloucestershire County Council to get the job done properly," he said.

The council is understood to have set aside £14.5m for the project

In February, the council granted itself permission for the works which also include a separate cycle store and sports pavilion at the site off the Monmouth Road in Berry Hill.

“We had originally hoped to be on site at this stage but as with the construction of any large facility such as this, the council must ensure that the development is affordable and remains financially sustainable going forward," Mr Brinn said.

“Unfortunately, costs have risen substantially since the council was successful in its Levelling Up Fund bid, due to rising global costs of materials and the impact of high inflation.

"The council is committed to working with partners and key stakeholders to deliver [the project]."