HOPES that sports and theatre facilities at the Five Acres College campus could be returned to community ownership have been revived.

West Dean Parish Council says the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns the site, has indicated that it may soon hand over the college sports centre and theatre for community use.

Parish Councillor Tim Gwilliam said: “It is not done and dusted by any manner of means but I am confident that i is now very possible.

“We had a meeting with the HCA and Forest of Dean District Council. It appears that with the new confidence that the college will be moving , they can start to discuss the disposal of the Five Acres site.

“After several years of consultation with the communities of Berry Hill, Christchurch and Edge in developing a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), we are delighted that our plans for the sports centre, playing fields, theatre and college buildings at the Five Acres College site to return to local community ownership are now becoming achievable.

 “Should the proposals and negotiations bear fruit, West Dean Parish Council, working in partnership with Forest of Dean District Council and the Community, will be able to create a hub for sport, leisure and culture that the community not only deserves but has aspired to in both open discussions and through extensive public consultations.

 “There is still much work and negotiating to do and also a key element will be public consultation just as it always has been for West Dean PC and the NDP for the area.

“However, after meeting with community representatives, including the community group Five Acres Not for Sale (FANS)and their representatives, we believe that there is now a way forward.”