CAMPAIGNERS supporting plans for Asda to come to Cinderford have taken to Facebook to express their anger after a High Court judge supported the Co-op's application at a judicial review.

The application, which was heard at the end of June, had reached a decision last Thursday (July 4) and has now left the council's plans for the superstore giant coming to the town up in the air.

The council's planning committee previously gave permission for the new retail store on land at Steam Mills Road on January 31 2012.

Cinderford campaigner for Asda, Amanda Watkins said: "Our Facebook page has been going wild with comments from fellow supporters who disagree with the decision. It is unbelievable that this decision has been made and yet again a spanner has been put in the works.

"All we want is for there to be a shop in Cinderford that enables people to buy everything they need without the need to go to Gloucester or elsewhere. As a group we will do all we can do to make sure we get it."

The bitter blow comes as the town were pinning their hopes on securing much-needed jobs just as staff at The Range at Mitcheldean face redundancy.

Plans for an Asda supermarket in Cinderford will now be re-visited.

Leader of the Council and cabinet member for Regeneration, Cllr Patrick Molyneux said: "We are disappointed as a Council but today's decision will not alter our determination to do the very best for Cinderford and the district."

Cabinet member for planning policy, Cllr Brian Robinson added: "We will now consider the court's ruling carefully and adjust our approach if necessary and maintain our aim of bringing more jobs, new homes and to improve the economic climate in Cinderford and the wider Forest.

"Our recent victory in the High Court challenge to our Core Strategy gives us the confidence that our overall approach is the right one."

A spokesman for The Midcounties Co-operative said: "We are pleased with the outcome of the judicial review as we were always of the opinion the correct planning procedure had not been followed, which is why we made the legal challenge."

Planning and housing group manager for FoDDC, Peter Williams, said: "The council has been presented with the opportunity to review the judgement and to take into account the judge's findings."