By JULIA RAVENSCROFT

PLANS to build an £8 million restaurant complex in the heart of Stockton Heath are being supported by two major organisations.

Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Warrington Collegiate Institute have lent their support to the development, which has received the thumbs-down from most nearby residents.

Colin Daniels, Warrington Chamber chief executive, has written to the borough council's director of community services expressing full support for the scheme.

He said: "Stockton Heath is in desperate need of quality restaurants and the current building and adjoining sites make this location ideal.

"It cannot be right that in order to find facilities that the proposed development offers Warringtonians have to visit Knutsford or Altrincham."

Hilary Tucker, principal of the collegiate, said the development will contribute in a positive way to the recreational and cultural ambience of the area.

She said: "We envisage new training and employment opportunities for students, particularly those specialising in hospitality and catering. These facilities will be distinctive in the Warrington area in the kind of opportunities they provide."

But residents are expected to come out in force to object to the plans at the borough council's development control committee on Wednesday when a final decision on the complex will be made.

There are two information boards showing the plans of developers Capital and Provincial Property Ltd near the junction of Grappenhall Road and London Road and at Stockton Heath Library in its temporary location in St Thomas's Church.