RESIDENTS and business owners who campaigned to halt plans for a supermarket in Sale Moor are setting their sights on a positive community-led future for the village.

A proposal to build a discount food store on the site of Warrener Street Car Park, the site of the IMO car wash on Northenden Road and 26a Marsland Road came up against strong opposition from both traders and residents when it was announced last year.

Campaigners collected 1500 signatures opposing the proposal, staged a protest outside the public consultation and created a short campaign film highlighting the impact the store would have on trade and village life.

They were victorious as Trafford Council refused to sell Warrener Street car park to the developer and they are now planning to establish a Neighbourhood Forum to influence the future of Sale Moor.

“We came together in a common protest against the supermarket plans but the forum now plans to go much further than that to get the most out of our unique ‘village’ community,” says Sale Moor-based driving instructor James Eisen.

“The supermarket threat still hangs over us because, although Trafford Council has refused to sell the land, the developers have still submitted a planning application that is against the wishes of the majority of local residents.

“The experience has taught us that working together in an organised way can help the community to shape other aspects of its own future far more effectively.”

A key meeting –on Monday January 25 at 7.30pm at the Belmore Hotel on Brooklands Road, Sale – will start the process of establishing the forum. This will be an open meeting with elections taking place for key positions for a shadow group prior to a Neighbourhood Forum being constituted.

“Anyone who lives, works or volunteers in and around Sale Moor can join the group,” says James. “We are currently looking for representation from residents and businesses who want to help influence our future.”

Nomination forms are available from James on 0161 969 2026 and also at the meeting.

Neighbourhood Forums have given communities a voice in future plans for their area since legislation in 2011 and the Sale Moor group follows a similar neighbourhood business forum set up in Altrincham in 2013.