ANGER over the Co-op's decision to block the application for an Asda supermarket in Cinderford has spilled out to the newly-redundant staff at CDS/The Range in Mitcheldean.

In a statement from their work's representative, they have said: "Planning permission for Asda was granted twelve months ago, but the Co-op have been allowed to challenge the planning permission, and there is now going to be a full judicial review. Asda would create approximately 200 jobs at the new store to help with the employment situation, but the Co-op is not allowing people freedom of choice as it monopolises the trade in Cinderford."

They added: "In our works statement we challenge the Government to create jobs in the Forest of Dean to soften the blow of the job losses, only to find that the Co-operative supermarket is active in blocking the go-ahead for an Asda store also to be opened in Cinderford."

The plan to build a new Asda supermarket on the outskirts of Cinderford looks now set to be put on hold for the fourth time, as the Co-op have forced the High Court in London to send the case to full Judicial Review, following a hearing last Wednesday.

The original plans for the 4,645 sq m store, were passed by the Forest of Dean District Council planning committee back in January 2012, but in June of last year the Co-op applied for a Judicial Review into the plans, but this was rebuffed by the High Court on the grounds that too much time had passed – two and a half months after the issue of the permission, and four and a half months after the planning committee meeting.

In a statement issued by the District Council, they added that: "The judge found that none of their legal grounds of challenge had any merit."

But, the Co-op again returned to the High Court and requested a review of their application to the court, which brought about last week's hearing. The judges decision was that the case should be referred to a full Judicial Review – which will be held at a date 'yet to be fixed.'

Ending the council's statement, their solicitor, Marie Rosenthal said: "To get approval today all the Co-op needed to show was they had an arguable case. We will be robustly contesting their legal challenge at the full hearing."

Following a request from the Review about the legal costs involved so far, a council spokeswoman said: "The costs of legal cases like this are initially met by the parties involved – normally the losing party has then to pay all the other parties costs at the final hearing. In this case, Trilogy, who represent Asda, are also a party and are meeting their own legal costs. The council was separately represented at the High Court hearing in London and to date has incurred legal costs of approximately £5,000 in dealing with the litigation."