THE leader of the We want Asda in Cinderford group says she's delighted MP Mark Harper has raised the Co-op's recent behaviour in the Commons.

Amanda Watkins says "it's about time" the Co-op's moves to block a new store opening in the area was addressed as supporters staged its fifth protest on Saturday outside the Dockham Road store.

During an oral question to the Minister from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) – which have responsibility for competition policy – last Thursday, Mr Harper asked the following question: "I'd like to draw to [the Minister's] attention the behaviour of the Co-operative supermarket in Cinderford in my constituency, which is using every trick in the book to behave in an anti-competitive manner to block a planning application which has been approved by my local council, which was popular with local people. Shouldn't they get on with competing on the basis of price and choice, not on the basis of the quality of their legal team?"

In response, BIS Minister Jenny Willott MP responded: "The competition regime in the UK is designed to ensure that competition acts in the best interests of consumers and it is not intended to protect incumbent businesses from competition – that is clearly not what we want to do."

The question comes in light of news that the Forest Council was landed a £125,000 legal bill after the Co-op successfully requested a judicial review against the council's decision to grant planning for the store at Steam Mills.

Amanda said: "The minister's response sounds positive but it begs the question why has it taken so long and more importantly, who has the final say about if the store comes to Cinderford or not? So far it seems nobody knows the answer. It has been one long dispute that we as a group all want a positive end to."

Midcounties Co-op declined to comment.