LYDNEY has lost out on £380k worth of investment and new supermarket after plans for an Asda in the town fell through last week.

The retailer cannot build its 3,827m retail store and petrol station on land South of Cambourne Place because JD Norman ‘cannot commit’ to building a new finishing shop at their camshaft factory - this was one of the planning conditions to approve the scheme.

Developer Mark Russell said: “Windmill Limited is unable to progress the contract with Asda because a condition of the retailer progressing is that JD Norman first completes and operates from its new finishing shop.

“JD Norman has confirmed to Windmill Ltd and Forest of Dean District Council that it cannot commit to the new finishing shop, even with the benefit of Windmill’s £1.5 million investment.

“Windmill Ltd and JD Norman will continue to work together to find a solution, but for the time being matters are on hold.”

Justin Norman, President of JD Norman, said: “The planning process began before we acquired Federal Mogul but now our business is going through mass changes.

“We are staying in Lydney and we are going to invest in Lydney.”

Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan Chairman Brian Permian said he was very disappointed with the news and that it could set the town back a couple of years.He said: “The town will lose out on some much needed £380,000 of investment into the town centre.“It’s a shame Asda are not coming to Lydney it has put the town at risk of stagnating and has certainly pushed us bak two or three years."For the full story and more buy The Forester.