The controversial application to erect a supermarket in Sale Moor has been approved.

Protesters with placards flocked to Trafford Town Hall tonight ahead of the planning meeting to determine an proposal for a 1,140sqm store and two semi detached homes in the heart of Sale.

The proposal incorporates 26a Marsland Road, IMO car wash and the council-owned Warrerner Street car park, which the leader of the council refused to sell to Kirkland Developments last year.

Three people spoke against the application, two ward members - Cllr Joanne Bennett and Cllr Mike Freeman - and resident representative Martin Tonks.

Loss of car parking spaces, impact on small businesses, congestion, disruption during construction were amongst reasons for objection.

"An increase in traffic will bring the village to an absolute standstill," said Cllr Bennett.

"The design doesn't fit in, it stands put like a sore thumb."

Cllr Mike Freeman conducted a survey of the village and highlighted that 80 per cent of respondents were opposed to the store.

"In my time as a councillor I have never come across a single issue like this that has so galvanised the community I represent," he said.

"The message is clear, the vast majority of the residents of Sale Moor do not want this development and are extremely concerned about the impact this development will have on the place they live and work in."

Resident Stella Millner spoke in favour of the application. 

"If you are elderly, walk with a stick, push a pram, don't have a car, have no relatives to run errands, no money for a taxi or no energy to walk to Sale, shopping for you is a nightmare," said Stella.

After hearing representations from councillors and residents, an hour long debate ensued and opinion was divided.

Cllr Laurence Walsh opened the debate and moved to refuse.

"I don't think this application is right for this site," he said.

"It looks like a warehouse. The village does not want a supermarket like that.

"These residents opposing it are not NIMBYS (Not in my backyard), they are looking to improve the area and working with the best interests of the residents of Sale Moor at heart."

Cllr Daniel Bunting supported the application. He said that similar stores, such as Ashton upon Mersey and Timperley, caused areas to 'flourish and thrive'.

"It will benefit footfall," said Cllr Bunting.

"The group of people it will benefit most are the elderly, disabled and those who can't drive."

Cllr Nathan Evans questioned the validity of Cllr Freeman’s ‘80 per cent of people were against it’ assertion.

“There were 3,000 surveys, which had 600 responses and 80 per cent were against it,” he said.

“That is 16 per cent of the 3,000 people surveyed, which would suggest 84 per cent are not bothered or are in favour.”

Cllr Dolores O'Sullivan was firmly against it.  

"There is a heart in that village and it's going to be destroyed," she said.

Members decided to go with the planning officer's recommendation to grant approval.

Seven members voted to grant the application and four voted against.

The strength of public feeling has attracted much media attention, going back almost one year.

More than 400 objections and a 1500-strong petition opposing the plans were submitted to the council.

Campaigners also staged a protest outside a public consultation, which led to the formation of the Sale Moor Community Planning Group.

There has been a degree of support for the supermarket in the village however, with more than 30 letters of support and a petition in favour submitted to the council.

After hearing the result of the vote, some members of the public present erupted into shouts of 'shame' directed at the committee.