Residents of Ascol Drive and Cranage Villas in Plumley gave their evidence to a public inquiry into the proposed 100-acre Longwood site next to their homes.

Vale Royal Borough Council, which is backing the scheme with the county council, asked the inspector to postpone the issue of the effects of the scheme on the A556 until December 3.

The move came after residents claimed their figures, provided by Knutsford-based anti-A556 motorway campaigners, prove that the supermarket distribution centre would need a motorway by-pass to take the extra lorries.

Ascol Drive residents are predicting a 17 per cent increase in traffic between Plumley and Tabley.

Malcolm Braham, from the residents' association, also told the inquiry how noise and pollution would ruin the quality of life for his neighbours and the local ecology.

"We still think it's such an ill-conceived idea and should be deleted from the Vale Royal and Cheshire structure plans," said Janet Lucas, of the resident's association.

The Longwood site, just across the borough border in Vale Royal, is also opposed by Macclesfield Borough council.

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