CONCERNS have been raised about the future of a Lower Gornal park after Aldi revealed proposals to build a new store in the village.

The supermarket giant's plan to build a new store on Zoar Street has led to worries that nearby Abbey Street Park could lose a significant amount of green space to the proposed store's car park.

Supporters of the park also fear it will throw their plans to further improve the space into disarray and could lead to safety issues by cutting off a vital path way to the play area.

Kaye Highway, chair of the Friends of Abbey Street Park, said the plan was "worrying" and the group plans to oppose the scheme, which also includes 115 car parking spaces and a pharmacy.

She said: "We plan to fight it it's going to have a huge impact on the park and village."

The group has made a raft of improvements to the park over the last three years, including installing an accessible play area, creating a wildlife corridor and organising regular litter picks.

If implemented, the store's car park would cover the main pathway from Abbey Street to the play area, which Kaye says would leave only a narrow alley way for children to access the equipment.

She added: "We will be left with a very small and narrow alleyway which will be a beacon for anti-social behaviour and we don't know how well it be lit."

The Friends had also planned to introduce a quiet area for people to sit and relax at the bottom of the park, but this space would also be built upon if the scheme goes ahead.

Kaye also fears for the wider affect the store could have on roads and businesses in the village.

She added: "Gornal will no longer be a village. All the shops struggled due to Covid-19 and now they have this to deal with.

"The traffic in Gornal is bad enough as it is. The roads aren't capable of dealing with the lorries and the nearby school has to look after the safety of the kids."

Proponents of the scheme say the supermarket will bring jobs to the village and will save journey times to supermarkets in Dudley and Kingswinford.

A planning application for the supermarket has not yet been submitted to Dudley Council, and a consultation period with residents is ongoing.

People have until Monday, June 15 to share their thoughts on the plans by calling 0800 298 7040 or emailing feedback@consultation-online.co.uk.