GREEN belt land is the perfect spot for a new regional distribution centre, but not for residents of Bolton-upon-Dearne.

They have condemned Aldi supermarket’s plans as being in the wrong place, despite the promise of 250 jobs, 150 of them full-time.

Aldi representatives set out their plans for the site adjacent to Goldthorpe Industrial Estate at a public meeting at Dearne Renaissance Centre on Wednesday. It had been called by Dorne Noakes, who is leading the campaign against the proposals.

“We don’t want Aldi on that land because it’s massive, on Green Belt land and Bolton is being penned in. A public footpath crosses the site and we were promised that it would not be moved again.”

Other arguments included wildlife, fumes from vehicles, excessive traffic and loss of house values.

Half the site is designated for industrial use but the rest is Green Belt. Gamekeeper Jimmy Middleton walks the land every day and said that over 500 Canadian geese feed there, it is home to a step eagle and he has found three lapwing nests, the first for 20 years.

However, Aldi plans to expand to 1,500 shops across the UK, and needs 17 distribution centres. There are 35 shops in Yorkshire and will increase to 100. Its present depot for Yorkshire and the north-east is at Darlington.