RESIDENTS have expressed their bitter disappointment after a controversial plan to build a 57 bed care home in Sale was approved by planning councillors in Trafford.

Despite 170 resident objections to the plan, approval was given to demolish a building and a bungalow and build a part three storey and part four storey building, with parking at 2, Ashlands and 43 Ashton Lane.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, John Rafferty, said: `` We are bitterly disappointed with the decision and still feel that the changes made by the developer do not solve the issues first raised by the Planning Inspector in 2010, nor for the residents now; :it is too big and too

obtrusive.

“We did our best but it was not enough in the end to overcome two inherent problems within the planning process itself..

“Firstly, the developer could appeal whereas we could not, and secondly, we strongly feel, as do all the residents who attended the meeting, that several councillors were swayed to approve by the potential prospect of costs on appeal. However, this should not be a planning reason.``

Last week’s meeting heard that a similar application was first refused in 2004 because the development was then deemed too big and a similar application in 2010 was rejected by both the planning committee and on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

The planning committee approved the development last week by six votes to five, following discussion of the application, which they believed had since been scaled back in size.