Case study

£20 million game-changing investment for sports and leisure in Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean was awarded £20 million from the Levelling Up Fund.

From:
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Published
17 January 2023

The investment will help improve the areas sports and leisure offer by:

  • transforming derelict spaces into entrepreneurial hubs
  • creating new educational spaces
  • refurbishing leisure facilities

All 3 projects will help the Forest reach its Net Zero targets.

Redevelopment of derelict Five Acres

This investment will regenerate the Five Acres site. The land will be used for a £9 million leisure facility which will include:

  • an all-weather pitch
  • a sports hall

Councillor Paul Hiett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities of Forest of Dean District Council said:

Game-changing – that’s the phrase we keep coming back to. Our Levelling Up projects will improve leisure facilities, connect communities, and help provide a better future for young and old in the Forest of Dean.

New learning centre to support education and employment

Funding will support a state of the art, new university learning centre. Hartpury University and Hartpury College have teamed up with Forest of Dean District Council to create this exciting new development.

This impactful project will:

  • support young people to remain in education and provide an outstanding new University Learning Centre
  • help retain and attract talent to the region
  • create a new outreach ‘Aspiration Academy’ facility in the heart of the Forest of Dean
  • enhance work placement opportunities with local businesses
  • unlock growth on the campus and create new jobs

Andrew Collop, Vice-Chancellor, Principal and CEO for Hartpury University and College:

This investment is about a positive future for the Forest. Hartpury’s University Innovation, Careers and Enterprise Learning Centre will create a significant number of jobs and will help supercharge post-16 higher education attainment in the Forest of Dean.

Artist’s impression of the proposed Hartpury University and Hartpury College innovation, careers, and enterprise learning centre

Regeneration of Cinderford

Several listed buildings, including 6 Market Street and Rheola house, will be transformed into:

  • space for people to socialise
  • co-working spaces
  • community hubs
  • event spaces

Learn more about the Forest’s levelling up projects.

Find out more about levelling up.

Updates to this page

Published 17 January 2023

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