THE following is a copy of a letter sent to the Forest of Dean District Council.

'I have today received a letter from the Midcounties Co-operative regarding the planning app­lication from Asda. They (the Co-op) are urging their members to object to this application.

On the contrary, I think Asda coming to Cinderford would be a good thing. Although the Co-op imply in their letter a new supermarket would take the heart of the town, I feel their actions over recent years has done far more to "kill" the town centre. Their constant blocking of any new developments either in or around the town centre has had the "negative effect" they accuse this application of creating.

We desperately need something in or close to the town to bring in new people, people who would otherwise shop elsewhere, people who might then take another look at the town centre. With more people coming into the area, perhaps more individual shops would consider opening in Cinderford.

The Co-op is obviously frightened of competition. A new supermarket would force them to review their prices and their customer service. If they really do have Cinderford's interests at heart, blocking this application and canvassing support to do is not the way forward.

Far from objecting to this application, I?urge you to give it the go-ahead – before it's too late.

I have to comment regarding your front page report on parking on Lord's Hill car park. The report is rather belated and would seem to have an element of bias. As many of us noticed when the Forest of Dean District Council imposed parking charges they omitted to detail where they applied and the town council has posted advice as to where parking is still 'free'. They advise that Lord's Hill car park is owned 50/50 by Dean Properties and the Forest of Dean District Council and Mr Bath appears to have recognised the charges impinge unfairly on shop employees and has reserved his 50 per cent ownership for his tenants. In this way at least they have a reserved space unlike the Railway Drive park. The balance is still 'free' if a space can be found.

 At no time has there been a 'Pay and Display' sign nor does the Co-op own any spaces and are therefore unlikely to comment! I assume the limited Forest of Dean District Council spaces does not justify the cost of signage and metering.

 Shortly after payments were introduced a discrete sign in Railway Drive park indicated that spaces to the left by the toilets were for Co-op customer parking (and lockable spaces appeared) but there is no indication that a fee does not apply. Indeed it is left to the town council to post information that there is no fee. The boundary is not detailed however. Most vehicles seem to have paid the fee rather than risk 'mistakes'.

I have no connection with Dean Properties but have had occasion to discuss management issues with the council, one of which raises safety issues affecting Railway Drive car park.

– John Osborne, Angel Field, Coleford.