ARMED with placards, around 50 protesters turned up at Sale Moor foodstore public exhibition last week to air their objections to the development.

Kirkland Developments held a consultation event at Sale Methodist Church on Thursday November 19 ahead of submitting plans to Trafford Council next month.

Developers are proposing to build a new 1,140 square metre store, roughly the same size as the M&S Simply Food in Sale, on the site of the IMO car wash, Warrener Street car park and 26a Marsland Road.

Traders and residents flocked to the event, with around 300 people passing the church threshold throughout the day.

A protest was also staged by those who claim that a foodstore would have an irrevocable effect on independent traders and cause congestion in the village.

Louise Trehearn, from the Sale Moor Community group, who co-ordinated the protest, said: “The developers were supposed to listen to our views and there are a number of objections they just can’t overcome.

“They are going to submit plans no matter what and our job now is to make sure public opinion is heard.”

Kirkland Developments said early feedback has helped them to shape their plans and have committed to open the 90-space car park up to all shoppers, free of charge, with no obligation to use the new store.

Rod Hogarth, Managing Director of Kirkland Developments, thanked all who attended Thursday’s consultation. He added: “Throughout the day we heard from residents with differing views on the proposals, including some local people that have been supportive of a new foodstore in Sale Moor for many years.

“Others raised legitimate concerns with certain aspects of the scheme and we will be looking carefully at how these might be addressed in the coming weeks.”