THE developer behind controversial plans for a new supermarket in Sale Moor claims that the car park on site will remain free to use and will be available to all shoppers in Sale Moor, with no obligation to use the new store.

Kirkland Developments, which is today holding a public exhibition on plans for a new neighbourhood food store in Sale Moor, has assured residents that a free, properly managed, shopper’s car park for the village will be a key part of its proposed scheme.

Responding to early feedback from residents and traders on the proposals, Kirkland Developments has committed to securing a planning condition on the use of the car park, should permission be granted by Trafford Council. This condition will ensure that the development’s car park will not be subject to charges and will be open to anyone visiting Sale Moor, not just people shopping at the new store.

Rod Hogarth, managing director of Kirkland Developments, said: “It’s clear from initial feedback from local people that there is a concern that this proposal will see the loss of the Warrener Street car park, which we recognise is a valuable asset for the community. However, this is not the case. What we’re proposing is the creation of a properly managed shopper’s car park at this location, which will remain free to use and will be open to anyone, and across the development there will be an equivalent number of spaces provided.

“According to independent survey work, almost 50% of users of the existing Warrener Street car park are long stay users and this is taking away spaces from potential shoppers in the Village. Our proposal for a shopper’s car park will prevent this abuse and will promote turnover of visitors to the Village, ultimately increasing footfall and allowing for linked trips to existing businesses from the new foodstore.

"Given Trafford Council’s announcement this week on introducing charges for some of its free car parks, we believe that our plans are the only way to guarantee that there is a car park in the heart of Sale Moor that is free to use, open to anyone and encourages visitors into the Village to visit both the new food store and existing independent traders.”

Kirkland Developments is proposing a new 1,140 sq. m. foodstore.

A public exhibition is being held today (Thursday 19 November) between 2pm and 7pm at Sale Moor Methodist Church. Anyone who is unable to attend the exhibition can view the plans online at www.salemoorfoodstore.co.uk or find our more by calling the community information line on 0161 711 0302 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm).