WORKS to redevelop the former Gloucestershire College site at Five Acres into a community and leisure facility continue to move “at pace”, the district council says.

The council posted photos of the site in its current state on Monday (April 11), with demolition crews currently working to clear the site so that the first round of building works can begin later this year.

The council secured £9 million for the redevelopment as part of a joint £20 million bid for investment from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund back in October last year.

And in December, the council announced it had formally purchased the site for a nominal £1 from Homes England, meaning that works could begin.

The demolition works are part of the project’s first phase, which will see the existing Speedwell building regenerated to provide new community space, leisure facilities and business space.

The building will also house an outreach education centre for Hartpury University and College.

The post on the council’s Facebook page on Monday (April 11) said: “The redevelopment at Five Acres continues to move at pace.

“Armac Demolition have been working hard to clear the site of the old and unsafe buildings, making way for the fantastic new leisure, community and education development that will be built in its place.

“As you can see it’s nearly there, but we’ll have more updates on the redevelopment of Five Acres coming soon.”

For more information about the project, go to www.fdean.gov.uk/planning-and-building/regeneration/forest-of-dean-levelling-up-fund-bid.