New fears have been raised over the future of treasured Green Belt land in Oakley Green after the Aldi supermarket chain revealed plans to put a new supermarket on the site of a Garden Centre.

The rolling fields adjoining Maidenhead Road are Green Belt land and once housed two garden centres - Wyevale and Squires.

There were angry public meetings when the Royal Borough proposed allowing some of the land to be listed as potentially suitable for housing as part of its proposed new Borough Plan.

Some blamed the subsequent closure of Squires on this, blaming the council for encouraging developers to latch onto the site.

Soon afterwards Wates Developers acquired the Wyevale site. Wyevale moved out but Wates allowed British Garden Centres to occupy the site temporarily on a rent free basis.

This week Lee McCandless, Property Director for Aldi Stores Limited said: “We’re delighted to have acquired this site, where we will be soon be bringing forward proposals to develop a brand new discount community food store.

“A new store on Dedworth Road would represent a multi-million pound investment in the local area and would deliver increased competition, ultimately resulting in greater choice and lower prices for consumers. In addition, a new store would help to maintain employment on the site by providing up to 40 new full and part time employment opportunities.

“We look forward to engaging with the local community on our proposals for the site over the next few months prior to submitting a planning application.”

A subsequent statement by Wates and Aldi confirmed: "There are no plans to retain the garden centre which currently exists on the site should planning permission be granted.”

Many fear that the proposed store would have to be built on Green Belt land if it was on the site of the garden centre, although this has not been confirmed.

This week Cllr Jon Davey, who represents Clewer and Dedworth West ward, said: "Anyone can put in a planning application for any site. It does not mean they are going to get permission. It has to be approved by planners first and you cannot just change the status of Green Belt land on a whim."