Cinderford Asda decision disappoints residents

People in Cinderford say they are disappointed after the High Court overturned a decision to grant planning permission for a new Asda supermarket.

Forest of Dean District Council gave permission for the store in January. But Co-op, which has a store in the town, succeeded with a judicial review.

Campaigner Amanda Watkins said it was a "forgotten town" where people had to travel to get anything done.

Asda said it hoped to resubmit plans before the end of the year.

On Thursday, the High Court ruled in favour of the Co-op, which has the only supermarket in Cinderford.

Co-op had argued the council's decision making process was flawed.

'We've got nothing'

Amanda Watkins, who led a campaign to get the new Asda built, said most locals wanted more choice.

She said: "We were all near enough convinced that we'd done enough - with the petition and everything we've done.

"We've got nothing - we've got the Co-op that's it. Anything you need to do then you have to go in to Gloucester. We're the forgotten town out here."

Council leader Patrick Molyneaux said the district council was also disappointed. He said they would go back and discuss the application with the developers.

He said: "I think we do need another supermarket here to give people choice and it is worth pursuing it."

A spokesman for Midcounties Co-operative 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."