RESIDENTS concerned over plans for a super-sized Tesco in Stretford met this week to discuss ways to counter the proposals.

The supermarket application – expected to be submitted next week – seeks permission for a 146,000 sq ft store in Lostock.

But at almost twice the size of a similar scheme rejected by town planners six years ago for contravening planning policy, those opposed to the current application say they fear Trafford Council plan to rubber stamp the deal which will net millions for the redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Concerned residents and traders at Monday’s meeting, held at Wesley Street United Reformed Church, heard how land essential to the project presently belongs to Stretford High.

Although the land is not for sale, Trafford Council are planning to close both Stretford High and Lostock College in order to build a new £30m academy which, once complete would see the land revert to local authority ownership, which would then sell it on to Tesco.

Money from that sale would be ploughed into the redevelopment of LCCC – ‘a gross misuse of public cash’, the meeting was told.

Campaigners opposed to the plans accused Tesco of hiding behind the LCCC project, which Labour councillor David Acton said was being used as a ‘red herring’ to ‘dupe’ residents that the deal was good for the town.

“I’m totally opposed to this supermarket,” Cllr Acton told the meeting.

“We should be concerned, and local people need to be aware of the plans which will devastate the area.

“It’s an absolutely disgrace that it’s being sold as ‘you have to support Tesco or you don’t support the cricket club’s regeneration’.

“My message to you all is if you are opposed to it, you can’t just sit back and let it happen. You’ve got to get letters in and petitions. If you don’t it will go ahead.”

Other points raised at the meeting included the massive increase in traffic one of the largest Tesco stores in the UK would generate in the area, the effect it could have on the town’s traders, and that the deal involved cash raised from the sale of public land going to a private venture.

Stretford resident Debbie Ellen said: “We are not challenging the need for a food store on this site, but we are challenging the need for a store of this size.

“The few traders in this area have said they are considering selling up before the store opens because they cannot see how their businesses will survive.

“We also do not agree that the re-development of the cricket ground has to involve a store of this size. Other cricket clubs have found ways of attracting investment to enable re-development. We would urge LCCC to consider other options.”

But in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, Messenger put those concerns to council leader Cllr Matt College.

And while he said while he understood people’s concerns, the council firmly believed it was a great package for the town.

“The application for the Tesco store is being put forward as part of a package of proposals, without which the redevelopment of LCCC and the wider area could not happen.

“As part of this planning application detailed reports looking at what impact the store could have on traffic and other retailers must be provided and the public will be able to see them when the plans are submitted.

He added: “The previous application for the 88,000 sq ft store was a stand alone application offering little community benefit.

“These proposals offer significant benefits including jobs, education, health and access to sport.

“The land on which Tesco wants to build the store is made up of a smaller site, which it has planning permission for, and an adjoining site.

“On its own, the adjoining site, which has restricted access and does not lead directly on to Chester Road, would be worth considerably less than its value as part of this scheme.”