A NEW turf battle between old Forest rival store giants Tesco and the Co-op has broken out in Coleford with the Co-op announcing on Monday details of a major £1.5m expansion of its store in The Marshes.

Making the announcement Midcounties Co-operative chief Ben Reid said it looked as if Tesco plans to create a new store a stone's throw away in Pyart Court was a retaliation to the Co-op expansion, put before Forest planners last year.

It is understood discussions over land for a 10,000 square foot new Tesco food store have been ongoing for 12 months between Tesco and Coleford landowner and developer Clive Bath. Discussions have also taken place between Tesco and the Forest council.

The Co-op has won full planning permission for its extension which it says will create as many as 30 new jobs in addition to the 60 staff it already employs.

Mr Reid said: "We have traded successfully in Coleford for over ten years and this significant investment is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the town and the local community."

However he added a warning that approval of the Tesco plan at Pyart Court could adversely affect Co-op investment in the town.

"We see that Tesco plans to open in Coleford but note that the proposal was announced after we gained planning consent.  Their timing suggests this is being done in response to our long term commitment to invest.

"We share the views expressed by the local community that, should the Tesco scheme be allowed to go ahead, it will have a detrimental effect on all the retailers in the town and may impact on our ability to continue to invest within the area."

The two store rivals have already locked horns bitterly in Cinderford, where Tesco plans to create a new store on the town rugby pitch adjacent to the Co-op appear to have stagnated despite years of negotiations.

Coleford's mayor Sue Merrikin said she would prefer not to comment on the situation until it had been discussed at a full meeting of Coleford Town Council on February 22.