DEFENDING the legal challenges brought by MidCounties Co-operative – after planners had given the go ahead for an Asda store in Cinderford – has cost the Local Authority a whopping £125,000.

Norman Stephens, chairman of the District Council, will inform members at this Thursday's Full Council meeting, that when the judge found against the authority at last year's judicial review, the council became liable for the supermarket retailer's legal costs.

The saga began in 2012 when the District Council planning committee gave permission for a new Asda store on the Steam Mills Road.