STOCKTON Heath residents who believe that the Hilal restaurant development will turn the village into the 'Trocadero of the north' have secured the support of Warrington South MP Helen Southworth.

Residents are battling against plans to build eight up-market restaurants in the heart of their village.

They argue that the only UK restaurant complexes of a comparable size are the Trocadero in Leicester Square, and the Trafford Centre, which would not be sustainable in Stockton Heath.

A spokesman for the residents said: "A probable scenario would be the opening of this development quickly followed by the failure of the businesses it houses and then their replacement with fast food outlets and a nightclub. This in turn would lead to urban decay and the loss of our village."

Residents are also concerned about an estimated influx of 500 cars a day, including 100 staff, and argue that Stockton Heath has only 445 car parking spaces which are 25 per cent to 50 per cent full during the night.

Mrs Southworth said: "I know the village very well and one of the problems there is congestion, and I would like to see a traffic impact evaluation. Currently a lot of roads are used as car parks, which makes life very difficult for residents.

"I'm also unconvinced that Stockton Heath can sustain eight more restaurants. We have to consider the impact on trade."

Caroline Mosley, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, has also voiced her objection to the scheme.

But a spokesman for developer Capital and Provincial said: "Before deciding to proceed with the development we held extensive discussions with the local planning and highways authorities to make certain that the existing building, adjoining sites and Stockton Heath village were entirely suitable for the scheme and that no major environmental, traffic or amenity problems would be created.

"We are confident that our development is both sustainable and viable."