THE prospect of a new Sainsbury's store for Lydney has come a step closer with initial planning applications being lodged at the Forest of Dean District Council's Planning Department.

Sainsbury's and their builders Robert Hitchins have their sights set on land to the east of Lydney and the supermarket giant claims that the new store will create up to 180 full and part-time jobs.

The planning application discloses that the building is going to cover 4,969 square metres of floor space, making it one of the largest superstores in the area.

The plans submitted to the council also show that the development – at Crump Farm on the A48 – will also feature a café, petrol filling station and kiosk, car wash, recycling centre, and separate delivery bays and truck parking at the rear. The plans see the retention of Crump Farm, but the demolition of three agricultural buildings.

A car park for 400 vehicles will also have pedestrian and cycle access from Naas Lane.

A new access road will lead to the store from the A48, and, while the original plan included retail units and a market square, these have now been replaced with proposals for a village green.

This follows their public consultation last summer, plus deliberations with both Lydney Town Council and the District Council to streamline the proposals ready for the submitting of their detailed plans. The market square idea came in for specific objections in relation to how it would impact on the existing town centre.

Regional development executive for Sainsbury's, Ben Littman, said: "We are grateful for everyone who has taken part on the consultation. Their feedback led to a number of significant changes that improve our proposals.

"We would also like to thank Lydney Town Council and the Chamber of Trade who have offered some great suggestions for improving the town centre, and Forest of Dean District Council for talking to us about how we could support a larger regular market in the town."

And while the application has already been submitted, the store group is still keen to hear local views. Mr Littman added: "The consultation remains open and we welcome feedback on the proposal we have submitted."

The supermarket's project team has a direct telephone line, 0800 130 3270, for comments and views on their plans. there is also a dedicated website at http://www.sainsburys-lydney.co.uk">www.sainsburys-lydney.co.uk (with a link to submit support for the development direct to the District Council) while there is an email address of [email protected]">[email protected] for views on the matter.