PLANS for part of the site of the proposed Sainsbury's store in Lydney could change after the public was invited to put their views.

Nearly 500 people attended the public consultation held in The Annexe, Newerne Street on Friday and Saturday to see the plans and talk to representatives of the company.

The one aspect of the development that caused concern was the neighbourhood centre, a small shopping centre with a market square.

Bruno Moore, Sainsbury's planning lead for new stores, said: "Overall the reaction to the plans was very positive but there was concern about the neighbourhood centre.

"We will go back and look again at the neighbourhood centre in the light of the comments.

"We want to complement existing retailers and service providers and encourage more people to stay in Lydney to do their shopping.

"The store will be in competition with other supermarkets, not the town centre."

The sales area of the store will be around 30,000 square feet which Sainsbury's say is about two thirds of the size of the Gloucester Quays store and will be sufficient for a full weekly shop for Lydney residents.

"The desire for more choice and competition in supermarket shopping in Lydney topped the list of reasons for support with some attendees saying that they currently travel to stores in Gloucester and Chepstow because they are larger and have a greater range.

"Other reasons included job creation and a third petrol station in the town.

A joint planning application with Robert Hitchens Homes is expected to be submitted to the Forest of Dean Council by the end of the year.

Mr Moore added: "The store development is not reliant on the houses being built."

Sainsbury's say the store would create 180 full and part-time jobs and would also have a petrol station and create new pedestrian and cycle links to Naas Lane.