A 70-strong petition relating to the controversial Sale Moor supermarket plans have been submitted to Trafford Council – in favour of the development.

Kirkland Developments' proposal to build a supermarket in the heart of Sale Moor has grabbed headlines over the past few months, with campaigners fiercely opposed to the plans.

Plans to build the 1,140 sq. m store and two three-bedroom semi-detached houses seemed to be quashed last year after leader of the council Cllr Sean Anstee refused to sell the council-owned land - Warrener Street car park - to the developer.

But a revised proposal had been submitted for the council’s consideration and is set to go before a planning committee next month.

Ahead of July’s determination, residents came together to launch a petition in support of the development and secured 70 signatures.

Resident, Stella Millner, helped spearhead the campaign.

She said: “I have been campaigning for a supermarket on this site for over a decade and I have been encouraged by the levels of support I have seen for this application.

"A new supermarket in Sale Moor would not only meet the needs of the entire community, but would specifically make a difference for those who cannot drive and rely on a local bus service.

“The position of this site would also make it much easier for those without a car, specifically older people, to conduct their weekly shop.”

Kirkland Developments has been working on the application over the past year.

Rod Hogarth, managing director of Kirkland Developments, said: “It’s encouraging to see that so many people feel strongly enough about this site to let the council know that this is something that they want to see in Sale Moor.

“We understand that not everybody is in favour of a new foodstore, but as if often the case, there are two sides to every story and it’s great to see a large number of local people in support of the application.

“The new store will complement existing businesses in Sale Moor, adding a new and exciting dimension to the village, whilst improving local community facilities such as the much-used car park.”

The redesigned store is proposed on the site of the IMO car wash, Warrener Street car park and 26a Marsland Road.

The car park would retain the 90 existing car parking spaces and be free for two hours.

Campaigners have been vocal in their opposition to the plans. A protest was staged outside a public exhibition last year and several petitions were created calling for the plans to be scrapped.

A spokesperson for We Are Sale Moor Community Interest Company said: “Trafford Council has so far received 387 objections to the Planning Application and we know that even more are still being submitted.

"We have also been told anecdotally by several local councillors that it has never been known to have so many comments on a planning application for a site of this size, the vast majority of which are objections.

“Our vision is for Sale Moor to be a thriving, caring and safe community that celebrates independent businesses and welcomes people to our village. Our members and community supporters have backed our plan to attract more diversity in the range of products and services available and to do so by attracting more independent businesses.

"A supermarket in our village would see the closure of independent butchers, greengrocers, bakers, chemists and florists - some of which have traded in the village for over 100 years."

Trafford Council’s Planning Development Control Committee is expected to make a decision on the application on July 14.