Supermarket plans given the go-ahead by planners – residents say they are “disgusted” at the decision

The controversial plans to build a supermarket and houses on the Warrener Street carpark in Sale Moor were tonight approved by Trafford Borough council.

Members of the planning committee agreed to the proposal by developers Kirkland despite arguments from  up to 60 protesters who had filled the committee room.

They had been given the statutory three minutes to make their case to councillors which would see an Aldi-type supermarket built on the carpark.  The council heard there were 405 letters and emails of objection and a petition with 1500 signatures and comments handed in by objectors.

Kirkland Developments want to erect a new 1,140 sq. m food store and two three-bedroom semi-detached houses on Warrener Street carpark, the site of the IMO car wash on Northenden Road and 26a Marsland Road.

However Trafford Council retains ownership of the car park after turning down an offer by the developers December 2015. Kirkland Developments had said before the meeting that the council has made it clear a decision on the planning application will in no way prejudice a decision on the sale of the land. It’s not known when the council will decide on the future of the site.

Hundreds of residents and small business owners in Sale Moor have raised money to pay for experts to help them fight the plans.  They claim it will affect businesses,  many of whom are locally owned and might not survive a development of this size moving into the area.

They also argued that increased traffic would cause further congestion and would become a hazard for schools, a number of which are close to the site.  After the meeting Chris Lowe of the Sale Moor Planning Community Group  said :”We are disgusted with the planning committee’s decision.

“We’ve been hoodwinked but the fight will go on.”

A spokeswoman for Kirkland Developments said: “This development will create a low cost, easily accessible store and provide a wider variety of choice for people in Sale Moor, and the surrounding area.

“We have worked hard over the past several months to listen to the community to ensure that the plans will deliver an attractive development that also provides wide ranging benefits including 40 new jobs, 90 carparking spaces and much needed highways improvements at the junction of Northenden Road and Marsland Road.”