FORMAL plans to build a supermarket on the suite of an Audenshaw restaurant have been met with fierce opposition.
And councillors have backed The Pearl as Lidl looks to knock it down.
The shopping giant has targeted the Manchester Road site, next to the Trough junction, for one of its stores.
According to documents, it has already decided how the existing building will be pulled down, with detailed plans for working hours, welfare arrangements and even methods of combating dust.
Even a start date has been put forward, March 17, 2029.
The Correspondent told previously of traffic fears surrounding the proposal. As things stand, the only entrance and exit to the site is from a turning close to traffic lights – and under preliminary drawings from Lidl, no other access point is proposed.
With 91 customer parking spaces proposed as the replacement building is likely to run more along the route of the Ashton Canal, it is likely more traffic will use the junction.
And 35 members of the public have already objected a consultation runs until Wednesday, July 16.
Cllrs Teresa Smith and Nick Axford have also come out in support of the restaurant, which does not want to leave.
They said: “We remain in full support of Pearl Restaurant in regards to this.
“We do not think that this is a suitable location for a Lidl supermarket to be opened – the increase in traffic, noise pollution and litter in the area that a supermarket would bring would be extremely detrimental to the area and local residents.
“Furthermore, the Pearl is a small business and a community asset that brings much to the area and we stand with them in this.”
A petition to try and save The Perl has also been started. Anyone looking to sign it can do so at https://www.change.org/p/prevent-lidl-from-purchasing-the-pearl-restaurant?utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&recruited_by_id=8e325800-0cc5-11f0-8c72-cfa42c232d58.