PLANS for an ASDA in Lydney are on hold again.

The go-ahead was finally given at the end of July when a High Court judge quashed Tesco’s ‘opportunistic’ appeal against the rival store operating in Lydney.

The Forest of Dean District Council originally granted planning permission for the 25,000sqft Asda store and filling station on the JD Norman site in March 2014.

Planning permission also included a 40,000sqft finishing shop and 6,000sqft of office space for JD Norman.

But now Tesco have appealed the appeal decision.

Mrs Justice Patterson originally rejected all of Tesco’s complaints and ruled that the Forest of Dean planning permission could stand. But Tesco remained unhappy and appealed against this ruling.

This led to the hearing at the Court of Appeal which was dismissed by three judges at the end of July.

Mark Russell, director of MMC Land and Regeneration, the developer behind the project said that he was not surprised by Tesco’s actions as he believes that Tesco have been opportunistic and commercially driven since the original application was first submitted.

He said: “Tesco have been beaten hands down three times. The judge’s decision is clear cut verdict and has dismissed their right to appeal, however I understand they still have this final chance to appeal.”

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, leader of the District Council said: “We are disappointed that Tesco has applied for to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal judgment, which upheld our original decision to grant permission for a superstore in Lydney and assists in securing local jobs at JD Norman.

“We remain confident in our position and will now await the decision of the Court.”