“In an ideal World we would go back to corner shops and large corporations wouldn't have the monopoly. In an ideal World I wouldn't feel excluded from society by doing things like riding a pushbike at the age of 31 rather than drivng a car... even though my 'carbon footprint' is pretty much non-existant (I even walk to work). And in an ideal World the people who get lots of public praise (like the CEOs of charities) would NOT be earning up to £450,000pa whilst their volunteers slave away for no pay... I digress however. As much as I admire the people who are trying to save small businesses and are trying to salvage a community spirit - I fear that they are ultimately fighting a losing battle - at least in the long term. I love little villages / side streets (I visit them on Saturdays rather than the town centre)... I love specialist trades and warm to the unique vibe of local shops and cafes... but how long will they be able to survive? isn't it a bit like trying to fight evolution? I try to fight things... I switch off my mobile and don't top it up because I hate the intrusion that they bring - but then I end up with near enough no friends because everyone else is using them. I talk about animal rights when my Colleagues pig themselves with genetically modified, cruelly treated chickens from KFC - but I am treated like a freak. What we have is little pocket areas remaining with nice, eco-friendly, locally-driven people and large armies of capitalist, cost driven proles who do not care about the World beyond their own back gardens... How long will it be before the nice people (most of whom are moderately rich and live in posh areas so can afford to pay the extra in local shops) are over-ridden by the armies of proles who are like colonies to the massive companies who are controlling their minds with clever marketing and sub-conscious brain-washing? (that's why - among other things - I don't watch TV... to avoid the adverts and images of what 'should' make us happy but doesn't). I ask you this: are we happier now with all this so-called progress? I think people were generally happier when life was more simple.”

“Not Mr Hoorwood saying NO again, Why doe's he always say "we" when he means himself. What a negitive person he is.”

“I see that the greens are going to oppose Asda because of the carbon foot print, but i say that Asda will save a lot of carbon foot print.
At least 9 out of ten households shop at super markets so if the people in this area were to use Asda they would be saveing loads of carbon foot prints by not driveing across town to either sainsburys or tesco.
I say bring asda and save more carbon footprints.
most people DONT use local shops for there main shop because they are to dear and dont have a big enough range.
they will only use them for the odd item that was forgotten.”

“When will people learn, that when a new business such as a Superstore opens it does not create jobs! It is all down to supply and demand, So if a ASDA does open and needs 100 employees to supply the demand. Then 100 jobs will go elsewhere due to the loss of demand in those shops. In this area probably Morrisons,Sainsbury's,Tesco, and local shops. So even if the people in these shops do not lose their jobs, no doubt they will have a drastic cut in overtime instead.”

“Asda will be here when we are long gone so let's benifit from a store on our door-step! If Morrisons were so good they won't lose customers. Fact is it's not that great there anyway,hence plans of an Asda!! Gloucester can have one so why can't we? Ikea next please!! Or why can't we have our own ice-skating rink & liesure centre??? Now that would make lots of sense!!!!!”

“do not let asda have any new stores people may think they are value for money i do not think so,its all profits not customers or staff ,they are an american conpany ,{no human rights} well not british in their case”

“Dear Makes Me Giggle
You may think this column is funny but the reason some people get so irate is developments such as these can have a huge impact on the lives of the people who live in the immediate vacinity and will have to cope with any problems. Depending upon the scheme in question some people will benefit but others may have their quality of life made much worse and be unable or afford to do anything about it. Rather than people bickering eg all the rivalry between Cheltenham and Gloucester it would be nice if we all worked together to make both places as nice as we can to live and work in because everyone would benefit.”

“this site keeps me so ammused why does everyone get so irrate??!!
I love Asda there childrens clother are such value for money. I hate the drive to Glos so rarely get to go there i work all week and its so busy there at the weekend having it in chelt will be great.”

“Simon, Cheltenham - It's all to easy to pretend to be someone else on this site. I don't know the person in question, but if their styke of writing/opinions, then it's likely to be an imposter.

I don't really know the ins and outs of Cheltenham well enough to comment, but as some one else says, houses may have been bettersuited to a brownfield site as there is always a lot of protest when they are built on Green fields.

Secondly, you will always get people who prefer to shop in supermarkets and people who prefer to use small shops. Supermarkets usually win on Price and convienience where as smaller shops tend to offer better service and a better quality of goods.

People who like to shop at supermarkets will eithr use one of the ones currently in town, or if they really like ASDA, they will head to Gloucester. Chances are that ASDA will simply take customers from other Cheltenham Supermarkets or some of ASDA Gloucesters custom. It may take a few customers from the independents, especially working people who want to nip in for something after work, but overall I shouldn't think it will do them much harm.”

“I dont see how GCHQ people can park there all day, as with the Glos one, you are only allowed 2 free hours, and there are lots of security checking this. You will get a fine if caught.”