SUPERMARKET giant ASDA has formally submitted its planning application to the Stroud District Council for a store in the town.

The proposal for a medium sized outlet at Daniels Industrial Estate in Bath Road, Lightpill, is the second application submitted to SDC’s planning department for a supermarket in the Stroud area.

Plans for an unknown supermarket at a brownfield site near the Ryeford junction on the Ebley bypass are due to be discussed at the council’s development control committee on Tuesday, November 12.

It also comes just days after rival chain Morrisons announced its own plans to build a store in Dudbridge Road – yards from the existing Sainsbury’s store.

The scheme promises to bring up to 250 jobs to the area and regenerate the ageing industrial estate.

ASDA has said its public consultation in July showed that a majority of people would use the store, especially the petrol station, and that those who completed feedback forms were overwhelmingly in favour of the site being regenerated.

Discussions about the proposed store have taken place in the last nine months with officers at SDC and meetings have been held with Rodborough parish and Stroud town councillors.

Doug Wilson, head of UK property communications for ASDA, said: “When the team met local residents as part of our consultation there was a great deal of support and top of the list was the creation of 250 much needed jobs and the regeneration of this site.

“Alongside our famous low prices and value for money, particularly on fuel, we’ve put together a compelling offer for the local community and we’re pleased that so many residents are behind us.

“There’s no doubt that a new ASDA store would provide an alternative to Tesco and Sainsbury’s and, along with the ASDA price guarantee, it will be much better value.”

The proposal for a medium sized food store includes parking for 330 cars, a petrol station and a cafe.

Leicestershire based developers Davidsons Crossmark Ltd is working with the landowners, Industrial Sales Ltd, who have owned the site since 1986 when it was home to John Brown Plastics Machinery Ltd.

A spokesman for Industrial Sales Ltd said the estate has reached the end of its economic life in its current form.

According to the landowners 10 of the 32 units are vacant and difficult to let and several have been vacant for many years.

“We are keen to find another use that will provide jobs for local people,” said the spokesman.

For more information about the proposed development go to www.asdastroud.co.uk.