Asda has formally objected to Aldi's plans for a new store on the edge of town. Aldi submitted multi-million pound plans to build a new supermarket at the entrance to the Brunel Industrial Estate. A decision was expected to have been made this month but Asda, which has a store in the town centre, has objected on the grounds that it is not in accordance with the local plan and that allowing Aldi to build a new store on the former David and Charles publishers building in Forde Close would have a detrimental effect on the town centre of Newton Abbot.
Plans for a Lidl superstore on the site were rejected by Teignbridge Council in 2006. Mr Cussen added the reasons for refusal at the time included the loss of employment land, the site being poorly related to the areas which it was intended to serve, transportation issues and landscaping concerns.