IN a recent issue of the SNJ you attribute various comments and opinions to me as mayor of Stroud regarding the recent planning application for a supermarket on the Bath Road Trading Estate in Dudbridge.

Please can I restate that the comments I made on your website were entirely personal.

I made this clear on your website but you chose to publish them as if I were speaking on behalf of the council.

I was not contacted by any of your staff but would have been very happy to provide an official statement if requested.

The vote on giving planning permission was taken by Stroud District Council not Stroud Town Council, I understand that in the interest of commercial neutrality the planning considerations are not allowed to include the brand of the supermarket.

The decision would have been based on other factors such as impacts on traffic, existing businesses, (including nearby town centres), neighbours and the environment, etc.

I gather that much of the opposition arose from concerns about the effects on traffic in and around a busy junction.

All of these material considerations would still apply if the application had been for an M&S Simply Food or any other brand.

The caption under my photograph says that I “opposed” the application, which rather implies that I voted on it, which is not the case as I am not a member of Stroud District Council.

Nor as a matter of fact am I a member of Stroud Town Council’s consultations committee and I did not attend their meetings when the application was considered.

My personal objection is based on the site being inappropriate as there several viable businesses on the site which will be disrupted by eviction, the impact of extra traffic on a busy main road and the harm that any supermarket will have on Stroud town centre.

IF we need another supermarket, and for me that is a very big IF, then there are better sites such as the derelict site in Dudbridge by the canal.

I would be grateful if you could clarify this distinction for your readers.

Kevin Cranston

Stroud mayor