DEVELOPERS look set to go into battle to build a supermarket in Cinderford after Sainsbury's signed a multi-million pound deal with Rothdean.

The haulage firm has agreed to sell its current site in Station Street to the supermarket giant.

But rival developers Trilogy claim the proposals are a deliberate attempt to scupper their plans and that they are close to signing a deal with another supermarket to build a 50,000 sq ft store in Steam Mills next year.

Now the two look set to go head to head with each other and the Co-op.

Sainsbury's say the planned new store will be 32,000 sq ft, about the same size as Morrison's in Ross-in-Wye, and will create 270 jobs. There will also be parking for 377 cars and 20 flats on the 25-acre site, which currently has planning permission for 100 homes.

Developers also propose a roundabout on Valley Road.

HGV company Rothdean will move into a brand new purpose-built 30,000 sq ft unit at Forest Vale that is already under construction.

Managing Director Lionel Jones described the proposal as 'a breath of fresh air for Cinderford and Rothdean' that would be good for both town and company.

"Not only is our Station Street site perfect for a supermarket, it will bring more jobs to the town and is in a convenient location," he said.

"The old site has been OK for 20 years but it needs modernising. This will make us a lot more efficient and create more jobs."

An outline planning application has been submitted and a public exhibition planned for the Belle Vue centre.

Caroline Vickerstaff, regional development surveyor for Sainsbury's, said: "By having a store in Station Street it will be within easy walking distance of the High Street and will encourage residents to do their shopping locally, supporting existing shops."

But Trilogy say they are now in the final stages of negotiations with a major national operator.

They refuse to identify the supermarket in question but it is widely believed to be Asda.

Trilogy Managing Director Patrick Stones said: "We are surprised that Sainsbury's has announced its intention to submit an application on Station Street, since they have not presented any plans or consulted local people and statutory consultees at all.

"This is very unusual for an application like this, so we can only view it as a last minute attempt to derail our own application."