CONTROVERSIAL plans for Cinderford Northern Quarter have been given the go-ahead despite 6,800 signatures against the £100m regeneration project.

Work on the former mining area, in Steam Mills, is expected to start next spring and bring a spine road, state-of-the-art college, 195 houses and hotel – with the final completion expected in 10 years time.

The majority of district councillors, at the special planning committee meeting last Friday, agreed the project was a "once in a generation opportunity and should be grabbed with both hands". However anti-supporters were keen to voice other, with some walking out in fury as the vote was heard.

Applicants Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) were given permission subject to around 74 conditions, and to the 'satisfactory completion of a suitable Section 106 agreement or undertaking to deliver future ecological monitoring and maintenance'.

Chairman of the Cinderford Regeneration Board, Cllr Graham Morgan (Lab, Cinderford West) said: "There is a need for this project, it's on derelict land and wildlife mitigation has been taken – the HCA's measures are second-to-none. I say support the project – we need the jobs!"

There was anger among opponents of the scheme that only one of them was allowed to address the committee.

David Priddis, of the Dean Natural Alliance, told councillors: "I have been given the impossible task of trying to summarise some of the hundreds of objections made to this highly sensitive and controversial proposed development."

He said "no case has been presented" to justify the need for the project.

David Warburton, HCA head of area, said: "This proposal has been a long time coming and we aim to help bring huge benefits to the Forest of Dean for generations to come.

"Work will not start straight away as we have a six-month window to allow for wildlife hibernation. We will continue to respect the area's wildlife and time our work around them with the expected completion date being around ten years' time."

Peter White, Vice Principal at Gloucestershire College, said: "This is excellent news for both Cinderford and the wider regeneration of the Forest of Dean. While this is an important milestone for the regeneration project, it is important to note that at this stage, the future of the proposed new college to be built on the site is not secure. 

"The proposed relocation from Five Acres to Cinderford has been severely-affected by delays caused by legal challenges and the planning application process which have impacted on the viability of the college's scheme.

"Consequently, we are faced with a number of issues that must be overcome if we are to move forward. We are continuing to work with our partners on these."

Mary Newton, of the Dean Natural Alliance, added: "We are disappointed at the decision but are not surprised. The group hasn't met yet to discuss whether to appeal the decision or not."