D-Dday for Tesco planning application (From Messenger Newspapers)

Defining moment for Stretford tonight as planners asked to decide on Tesco and Sainsbury plans

7:50am Thursday 11th March 2010 in Tesco Stretford By Robert Downes

CAMPAIGNERS for and against a Tesco megastore will come face-to-face outside the town hall tonight (Thursday) as Trafford’s planning committee get set to make a decision on the multi-million pound plans.

Both parties are planning to meet outside the town hall at 5.30pm - one hour before the planning application is heard by councillors.

Members of the ‘No Mega Tesco’ group are urging their supporters to rally outside the Chester Road building and are asking people to bring banners and placards to show their opposition at the 170,000 sq ft store.

Supporters of the application, including residents and staff from Lancashire County Cricket Club, which stands to net £21m to pay for ground refurbishments should the plans get the green light - will march on the town Hall from the Old Trafford ground, joined by chief executive Jim Cumbes, and club mascot ‘Lanky’.

It’s expected to be an intense evening for Trafford’s planning committee who are being asked to make a decision on the Tesco application as well as an application for a new Sainsbury store at White City Retail Park.

Derwent Holdings are seeking permission to build a 90,000 sq ft store there, but while the Tesco application, linked with the redevelopment of Old Trafford Cricket Ground allowing it host Test Match cricket into the future, has been earmarked for approval, Sainsbury’s application has been marked for refusal, on grounds the development would pose a threat to the viability of Stretford town centre.

l Find out what happens at the meeting by logging on to messengernewspapers.co.uk