CIVIC leaders in West Dean are calling for answers into the delays affecting the regeneration of the Cinderford Northern Quarter.

West Dean Parish Council says it’s ‘tearing its hair out’ due to frustration over the delays affecting Gloucestershire College’s move from Five Acres to the Cinderford site and may call for a public inquiry to shed light on the issue.

The parish council reached a formal agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency to transfer the ownership of the current site to them and the district council once the move is completed.

However, with the closure of the theatre and the college pushing its opening date back to 2018 the West Dean residents and councillors fear the facilities will fall into disrepair.

Tim Gwilliam, Berry Hill district councillor, said: “The facilities are falling down around our ears. Gloucestershire College need to make its mind up.

“I’ve shown a Euro MP around the site and explained the vision we had for it.

“She said there was European Union funding available to redevelop the site, but we might be out of the EU before we can get the keys to the site.

“We fully support the Northern Quarter development but the regeneration of Five Acres is just as important to Coleford.”