THE Forest Council's leader has contacted the Co-op's top dog highlighting the "negative community impact" the Co-op's legal battle against the council is causing.

In a letter to Mr Richard Pennycook, interim chief executive of the Co-operative Group, Cllr Patrick Molyneux (Con, Hewelsfield and Woolaston) says: "I am writing to you in my capacity as Leader of the District Council in the Forest of Dean and as a councillor in the Forest for over six years, to draw your attention to the negative community impact that is arising as a result of legal action being taken by the Co-operative against this council. This note is supported by all the political group leaders at the council..."

Cllr Molyneux said that while he "appreciated" the important role the Co-operative has played in Cinderford and the rest of the Forest over the years, he believed the ongoing legal action to attempt the prevention or delay of further retail expansion in Steam Mills, is not only harmful to the town but potentially damaging to the Co-op store's future.

He said: "The most recent challenge comes as a surprise to this council, since a previous decision in 2012 had been returned to our planning committee last year after a successful legal challenge by the Co-operative in the High Court at considerable legal cost to this council of over £200,000.

"The Forest of Dean planning committee unanimously approved the returned application in January, taking into account all of the judge's comments. I had hoped that the Co-operative would respect this democratic decision, taken in the full knowledge of the Co-operative's legal concerns.

"You may already be aware of the huge public support that a new food store has from the people of Cinderford and I suspect the impact of local anger over the Co-op's behaviour must affect your store's staff morale and sales.

"The legal costs we have incurred are met from local taxpayers and many are now turning their back on your store in protest. I would therefore urge you to intervene in this matter and encourage Mid-Counties Co-operative Society to accept the democratic decision of this council and avoid further unnecessary legal costs and bad feeling toward your business. Your current action seems to support your predecessor's view that the Co-op has "lost its way". I believe that the time has come for the Co-op to face up to fair competition and fight for its position in the market place rather than the courts."

A spokesperson for The Midcounties Co-operative, 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 are therefore challenging the decision based on these concerns."