DEVELOPERS have successfully appealed against a decision to prevent them from building on land formerly used as the Vine Pub car park in Sale.

Wilmslow Properties Ltd can now move forward with plans to build two retail units next to the pub on Washway Road following the green light from the Planning Inspectorate.

This is despite the proposal being turned down by Trafford Council in December 2005 on the grounds of visual intrusion and the inclusion and design of two sign masts.

Although the latter reason was later dealt with by a revised submission, the former complaint remained in place.

But following a public inquiry in January, inspectors concluded that due to the relatively modest size of the proposed two units, the site's good accessibility to a choice of transport modes and the lack of evidence of any harm to the vitality and viability of Sale town centre,' the proposals were acceptable with conditions.

The land in question had been used by the Vine Pub as a car park until a few years ago when it was sold to the developers and has been vacant ever since.

Stuart Kelsall who lives on the adjoining Belgrave Road, said: "When the car park was in use, parking in the street wasn't that much of a problem.

"However, since it has been closed we get many of the customers from the pub and local take aways parking here and on Eaton Road.

"The development will only make it more difficult for residents to park outside their own doors. It is going to be especially difficult while they are actually building on site."

Priory ward councillor, Roland Griffin, said: "I am very disappointed that the inspector has allowed this appeal.

"There is no doubt that traffic and parking will get worse in the adjoining streets and we will be pressing the council to liase with local residents to improve the situation."

A condition of the grant means the shops - which are not expected to be built in the immediate future - could only open between 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 10am-5pm on Sundays.

lroberts@messengergrp.co.uk