MIDCOUNTIES Co-operative has put a spanner in the works of Aldi’s plans to build a store in Coleford.

Lawyers representing the Co-op submitted a last minute request for a judicial review into the Forest of Dean District Council’s decision to allow the German budget retailer to build a 19,418 sq ft shop on Tufthorn Avenue.

The proposals had the backing of the overwhelming majority of Coleford residents but Mayor Paul Kay said he was not surprised by the legal challenge and added: “The Co-op are up to their usual tricks of not supporting any competition and making sure they are just the sole business.

“They are quite happy to let the town centres of the Forest die out.”

An Aldi spokesperson said: “We have been notified of this judicial review however we remain committed to bringing forward plans for a new store in Coleford in line with the planning permission granted in October.”

A spokesperson for the Forest of Dean District Council confirmed: “The district council has been served with a notice of issue of a claim for a judicial review by Midcounties Co-operative, against the council’s decision to grant permission for the erection of a class A1 food store at land at Tufthorn Avenue, Coleford.”A spokesperson for The Midcounties Co-operative Food said: “We have made an application for a judicial review because we don’t believe legal due process has been followed. Given the significant local impact of this decision, it is only right that businesses and residents have full confidence that all appropriate procedures were adhered to.”