BUDGET supermarket Aldi has declared it still has its sights on opening a store in Lydney – despite the Forest Council turning down an application last December.

The company says Lydney is on its list of six towns where it wants to expand in Gloucestershire.

Aldi did put forward plans to open a store on the JD Norman site on the outskirts of Lydney but planners rejected it.

One of the reasons given was because of the impact it could have on shops in the town centre.

One of the three ward councillors who strongly backed that plan has said he would be “100 per cent” behind a bid by Aldi to come to Lydney.

The UK’s fifth largest supermarket says it is looking for freehold sites in the High Street or on the edge of town.

It says each site should be around 1.5 acres and able to accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with 100 parking spaces, ideally on a prominent main road with good visibility and access.

Aldi’s national property director Ciaran Aldridge said: “We have been investing in Britain for more than 30 years now but we know there are still areas that either do not have an Aldi at all or that need another store to meet customer demand.

“Shoppers are increasinly looking to get unbeatable prices on their weekly shop without compromising on quality.

“That’s why, more so than ever, we’re keen to explore all opportunities to open new stores across the country.”

Forest councillor Alan Preest, whose Lydney East ward includes the JD Norman site, welcomed the announcement from Aldi.

He said: “If they are interested I would be 100 per cent behind.”

Although Aldi has not said whether they would move again on the JD Norman, site

Cllr Preest said it would be ideal as it would bring some much-needed facilities to the Oakdale estate.

He said: “Oakdale has basically been made a ghetto by the Forest of Dean District Council – it has a postbox and a noticeboard and that is about it.’’