Cinderford Asda planning permission overturned by judge

Plans for a new store will now be resubmitted, an Asda spokesman said

A decision to grant planning permission for a new Asda supermarket in Cinderford has been overturned by the High Court.

Co-op applied for a judicial review into Forest of Dean District Council's decision to approve the plans, arguing the decision making process was flawed.

The council originally gave permission for a new 4,645 sq m store on Steam Mills Road last January.

After a hearing in London last month, a judge has ruled in favour of the Co-op.

Leader of the council Patrick Molyneux said: "We are disappointed as a council, but today's decision will not alter our determination to do the very best for Cinderford and the district."

A spokesman for Midcounties Co-operative, which already has a store in the town, said: "We are pleased with the outcome of the judicial review as we were always of the opinion the correct planning procedure had not been followed, which is why we made the legal challenge."

Asda spokesman Oliver Jones said the plans would now be resubmitted.

"We're disappointed this hasn't worked out as we'd wanted, however we're still really dedicated to bringing a store forward in Cinderford," he said.

"We're hoping that will be able to get planning permission before the end of the year."

The High Court ruling said the council did not make the reasons clear enough for originally approving an out-of-town development when its core strategy encouraged building in town centres, Mr Molyneux said.