MIDCOUNTIES Co-op has once again stepped up their fight against Asda coming to Cinderford by lodging a second legal challenge.

The challenge against the Walmart giant is based on concerns the store has that Asda's plans are "unsound and go against regulations."

However when asked to expand on this, the Midcounties Co-op failed to disclose exactly why this is.

A spokesperson for The Midcounties Co-op, said: "Having reviewed the planning application submitted by Asda and following the decision made by the district council, we still feel that the plans for Cinderford are unsound and go against regulations. We remain committed to Cinderford town centre and its residents and will therefore be challenging the decision based on these concerns."

Although some Cinderford residents, particularly the 'We want Asda in Cinderford' campaigners, who have attracted 1,600 supporters on Facebook, say it should be for residents to decide what they want in their town.

A frustrated mum-of-five from Cinderford told the Review: "Cinderford is unfortunately in need of help. Many shops and businesses that open up fail and part of the reason is because we don't have anything in our small town to attract people to come and shop here.

"Asda are in the second process of trying to bring a store to the town but unfortunately the Co-op has yet again challenged the decision. Local council have passed plans twice. It seems the majority of the residents would like this supermarket to come to our town as it will not only bring jobs to the area but somewhere for our Forest residents to shop with more choice at more affordable prices. We don't understand why the Co-op is fighting so hard against this - they stopped Tesco from coming to Cinderford too some years ago.

"Lidl in Cinderford have not challenged Asda's decision to come here. Other towns manage with more than the Co-op to shop in! Asda will attract people from other towns to shop here which will in turn revitalise Cinderford and help it grow again – new businesses may thrive. It will also mean we don't have to travel a minimum of 12 miles to buy our children shoes and clothes due to a lack of shops nearby, as well as do our food shopping because as a family of five, I can not afford to do my shop in the Co-op."

The council issued outline planning permission to the applicants Triology Developments Ltd; however the decision was quashed in the courts following a challenge by the Co-op. The council then had to re-determine the application which happened at the planning committee meeting last October. The 12-week call in period for the decision passed and the application was not called in by the Secretary of State. A decision to approve the application has been re-issued and there is now a six week period where a third party could challenge the planning decision.

A spokesperson for the district council said: "We can confirm that on Friday the council received a pre-action protocol letter from solicitors acting on behalf of Midcounties Co-operative. The letter sets out the Co-op's intention to challenge the decision to grant planning permission for a retail store at Steam Mills, Cinderford. 

"At this stage, given the threat of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further."