PROS and cons of a massive £100million sports and green technology centre earmarked for construction near Stroud will come under scrutiny at a public meeting later this month.

The proposed Eco Park development is a massive 100 acre sports and business facility located beside Junction 13 of the M5 near Eastington.

A panel of speakers from former MPs to councillors and professors will and examine and discuss the impacts of the multi-million pound development, which has been put forward by Ecotricity boss and Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince.

Almost half of Eco would be dedicated to creating state-of-the-arts sporting facilities, much of which will be open to the public, including: a 5,000 capacity stadium for Forest Green.

While the other half will comprise a green technology business park with sustainably built commercial offices and light industrial units potentially capable of hosting up to 4,000 jobs.

A third portion of land will become a nature reserve, while the overall concept also includes a desire to work with the Cotswold Canals Trust in their efforts to open up part of the 'missing mile' of the Stroudwater canal and the potential development of a public transport hub.

A recent public consultation has seen support for the development, but critics have argued it would taint the beauty of the Eastington’s small rural community.

They argue the centre would mean a huge influx of traffic, yet more building on green field sites and ruin on of the ‘gateways’ to Stroud.

To address these issues and more, Stroud Civic Society has put together the event creatively named: ‘Ecotricity’s Eastington Eco Park – Greentech or Greenwash?’

Speakers will take a closer look at this proposal, understand what is involved, put forward arguments for and against, and consider any other concerns people may have.

Most notably on the panel is supporter of the plans David Drew, former Labour MP for Stroud and current vice chairman of Forest Green Rovers.

He will share a platform with Simon Pickering, Stroud District Councillor (Green), Hugh Barton, emeritus professor in health and sustainability, plus a representative from Ecotricity.

The event will be held at the Old Town Hall in The Shambles, Stroud at 7.30 pm on Thursday November 26.

Admission: Members £2, Non-members £3