COLEFORD Town Council has voted to support revised plans for an Aldi store on Tufthorn Avenue.

At its meeting last week, members were told that the application for a 1,790 square metre store had been resubmitted having addressed planners’ concerns.

Councillor Clive Elsmore said: “It appears that Aldi has considered the site in the town centre which still has planning permission on it and became vacant when Tesco walked away from it

“The budget retailer states that it couldn’t effectively operate from such a small site.

“Additionally the district plan has changed for the land on Tufthorn Avenue for it to become employment land, a scenario that a retail outlet like Aldi complies with as its application suggests that it will employ some 40 members of staff.

“I suggest we support this application as I personally believe it will keep people in the town and deter them from going out of the district to spend their hard earned cash.”

Deputy mayor Councillor Nick Penny said that he has read the application and can confirm that a full consultation telephone survey had taken place as he was one of those contacted at random.

He said: “The evidence is clear, by allowing Aldi to set up a store in Coleford it will keep money in the town.”

The Aldi scheme was supported by six votes to three against with one abstention. Coleford Town Council’s findings will be forwarded to the Forest of Dean planners for consideration when the application is debated.