BUDGET supermarket Aldi could open its first store in the Forest, if proposals get the go-ahead.

The new store would be part of a multi-million pound development on the outskirts of Lydney.

Last week agents acting on behalf of the unnamed landowner held a public consultation at Lydney Town Hall.

The purpose of the meeting was to guage the public appetite for such a development with local people able to question members of the project team.

The site earmarked for the new store is at Lydney Park Boulevard, next to the JD Norman factory.

An information brochure which was available at the consultation stated the site “has remained undeveloped for some time.”

It added: “The landowner has appointed Planning Potential to submit a planning application for a mixed-use development which will introduce a new Aldi supermarket, com- plementary retail units and flexible commercial floorspace targeted at growing businesses.

“The multi-million pound investment will secure the regeneration of a vacant brownfield site, deliver much-needed food shopping choice and create up to 140 new local jobs.”

The agents say Aldi is currently the UK’s highest-paying supermarket – with store assistants paid “significantly more” than the National Living Wage of £8.21 for over 25s.

According to its website, Planning Potential has worked on some 30 projects for Aldi.

The site is south of the JD Norman factory and adjacent to the new housing estate and has been allocated by the Forest of Dean Council for employment uses.

The agents said: “The landowner recognises the aspiration of the council and is bringing forward mixed-use proposals to deliver on the vision to create employment, economic growth and spillover benefits to the local community.”

They say JD Norman will remain on the site, protecting existing jobs there.

The proposal willalso create “a sustainable development making best use of a redundant site to spur economic growth”.

The proposal is the second in recent years to bring a supermarket to the site.

In 2013, permission was granted to redevelop the site and would have included an Asda supermarket. The plan was later challenged at a judicial review and Asda eventually pulled out.

The agents said: “In the meantime, retail demands in Lydney are still not being met, especially food shopping, where the local market in monopolised.

“The town lacks a discount supermarket and 40 per cent of residents currently do their weekly shopping elsewhere or online.

“For many this means inconvenience, longer journeys and higher fuel costs.”

The nearest Aldi to Lydney at the moment is in Ross-on-Wye, and the agents say the proposed development will complement existing shops and businesses.

Views on the proposal can be submitted to Planning Potential by e-mailing info”planningpotential.co.uk or by phoning 020 7357 8000.