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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Charlotte Dobson

Battle of the banners - the bizarre dispute between one woman, her cat and a building merchants

A banner bemoaning the impact of a builder's yard on a 'depressed' cat has appeared outside a house in Sale.

The bizarre slogan claiming 'Travis Perkins depressed my cat' was draped outside a resident's house on Elm Grove.

Wendy Snell ordered the banner after building merchants Travis Perkins hung a sign at the entrance to their yard on Thursday, claiming it 'ruins her view'.

Wendy says there has been an ongoing dispute between herself and the depot over its signage, describing the firm's latest banner as 'the final straw'.

She claims her cat Wilf is depressed as a result of the Travis Perkins site.

Yet bosses at Travis Perkins say they have worked with residents regarding their concerns about the site for years.

Wendy, 44, said: "Travis Perkins went and put up a sign right outside my front door.

"You can see on the pictures how it's ruined my view and on top of that there's racking everywhere.

"They already know us very well. I've complained to the council about one of the permanent signs when they put this big board outside my house. I was quite pleased because it was taken down.

"But then on Thursday they put up this banner saying: 'Now open.'

"I was fuming, and that's when I decided to order my own banner."

Wendy Snell said Travis Perkins' sign was the final straw (Manchester Evening News)

It's not the first time Wendy and residents have taken on Travis Perkins.

When the firm lodged a planning application to expand its site in 2017, residents objected based on traffic and noise levels.

Wendy, a business support manager, said her latest move was a 'tongue in cheek' message to the building merchants.

"It was a peaceful protest," said Wendy.

"My cat Wilf doesn't get to hunt anymore. He used to be able to go straight out onto the River Mersey but he can't now.

"I do think he is depressed.

"It's not a big issue but as a street we have continually complained. Their sign was the last straw, hence my banner."

A spokesman for Travis Perkins said: "We want to be a good neighbour and have a long and well-established heritage in Elm Grove, where there has been a builders merchant for more than 100 years.

"After purchasing an adjoining business with dilapidated buildings, and being granted planning permission for developing the site, we have made considerable investments and now employ employ 12 people from the local community here.

"Throughout the development, we have worked with local residents regarding their concerns, and we will continue to do so."

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