THOUSANDS of people have backed a campaign to prevent a Sale Moor car park from being developed.

A petition to save Warrener Street car park has already been signed by around 2,500 people – topping the 1,500 who backed the successful campaign earlier this year to preserve the historic Sale Hotel.

Campaign organisers Trafford Heritage Society (THS) claim the response shows that Sale Moor residents have “dismissed out of hand the council’s proposals”.

They say the free car park is vital for the prosperity of the village.

Fears that the car park could be replaced by a food store sparked off in August when traders and residents discovered the council had invited companies to submit proposals to develop the car park and adjoining properties.

Wilfred Darlington, of THS said: “There is overwhelming support now for asking the council to abandon their plans for ‘developing’ Sale Moor.

“Some of the traders have expressed dismay that the council still will not withdraw the plans.”

But leader of the council, Cllr Matt Colledge, stressed there are no fixed proposals to redevelop the site.

He said: “My discussions with the traders of Sale Moor and with our local Conservative councillor, Christine Bailey, have made me very aware that residents are being mistakenly led to believe that there are proposals for a new food store on Warrener Street.

“I would like to reassure everyone that there are no proposals for a store, or indeed anything else, on this site. I remain happy to meet with Dr Darlington to underline this point.”

l Petitions are available in many Sale Moor shops. or ourheritage.org.uk