FOREST planners are expected to reject another bid to build an Aldi store in Coleford.

Despite strong local support for the German budget supermarket to set up shop in the market town, planning officers say the scale of the 19,418 sq ft shop and its location outside the town centre boundary makes it unsuitable.

The town council along with over 100 residents have written in support of the plans stating how the new store would retain and attract more shoppers to Coleford as well as provide extra jobs.

However district council officers would prefer the store to be sited on Lords Hill in the town centre, the proposed Tesco site which was granted planning permission.

Sling resident Penny Meredith believes Aldi will provide shoppers with more choice and added:“I aim to do as much of my grocery shopping as possible in Coleford, but this is not always possible due to the lack of choice and high prices.”

Denis Cumming from English Bicknor said: “The existing range of shops do not provide sufficient choice to justify making Coleford the the weekly shopping focus. At present we find Ross on Wye or Monmouth the preferred locations.”

Coleford’s deputy mayor Councillor Nick Penny said: “The evidence is clear, by allowing Aldi to set up a store in Coleford it will keep money in the town.”

An Aldi spokesperson said: “This is clearly a disappointing step in our progress to come to Coleford. "The evidence submitted clearly indicates that an Aldi Store in Coleford will keep residents shopping within the town, with 68% of those we spoke to saying they would continue their shopping in town as part of a linked trip.“We would appeal to members of the Planning Committee to acknowledge the high level of local support for our proposal and understand that a new store will be a boost to the Coleford economy, both in terms of the forty new jobs created but also through keeping people shopping in the town.”The proposals will be debated at the district council offices in Coleford on September 13.