TESCO has formally objected to the proposed ALDI store on Bath Road, Stroud.

In a letter submitted to Stroud District Council the supermarket giant said it is opposed to the project due to the 'loss of employment land' and the impact it could have on the town centre.

The letter says: "It is clear and unequivocal that the site 'will be retained for B Class uses. Redevelopment for alternative uses or changes of use from employment use will not be permitted on these sites'.

"Hence the proposal is contrary to the development plan, and the only reasonable decision that can be made here is the refusal of planning permission."

In regards to town centre impact it says: "It is perfectly reasonable for the council to take the position that the expected trade diversion from Stroud town centre would lead to a significant adverse impact. This would be further compounded if the Avocet site is developed by Lidl, as has been reported recently in the local press.

"The council's retail assessment finds that Stroud town centre is 'underperforming', falling 'considerably behind Cirencester and Yate' with 'information on rents and yields further substantiating this position.'

"It is also noteworthy that planning application S.16/1023/FUL, for an identical foodstore proposal, was refused by the development control committee on November 29, 2016, with the first reason owing to the expected 'retail impact on Stroud, Nailsworth and Stonehouse town centres'.

"It is therefore only right that the committee should come to the same view this time around, given that the proposal, trade diversion analysis, and policy and wider context is unchanged."

Recently it was revealed that ALDI has launched an appeal to the Secretary of State, meaning a government planning inspector will make the final decision at an appeal hearing.

This decision will relate to ALDI’s initial application last year, which was rejected by SDC.

Tesco's objection is to the second application, and could be taken into consideration at the next development committee.

A spokesman for SDC said the council still expected to make a decision on ALDI’s application in September.

No date has been set yet for a decision on the appeal.