Residents and traders opposed to a new Sainsbury’s supermarket in the heart of Stoke Newington will join forces at a public meeting on Wednesday evening as anger over the proposals reaches boiling point.

Social action group Hackney Unites will host what is expected to be a heated discussion at St Mary’s Church Community Centre in Defoe Road in response to a groundswell of protest at plans for a new supermarket in Stoke Newington High Street.

Developers Newmark Properties want to build a 2,200sq m Sainsbury’s store, 94 underground parking spaces and 44 flats on the site, sparking upset over the demolition of exiting shops and homes, the threat to independent businesses and road safety.

Jane Holgate of Hackney Unites said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of local residents who want to get involved in the campaign to preserve the vibrant local community in this area. People love the local shops and business in this area and are opposed to corporate take over of our high street.”

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott has waded into the debate, calling for more consideration of the downsides of the scheme.

And more than two hundred people have signed a petition by campaign group Stokey Local against the plans.

Among them was Kirsty McQuire, who said: “Another large supermarket would kill off the precious character and consumer choice that defines N16.”

And Andrea Jung said the scheme was “inappropriate, ill-conceived proposal and with no regard for public realm.”

The Gazette has already reported that more that 250 people signed another petition run by the Keep It Stokey campaign in its first week.

Developers Newmark Properties and Sainsbury’s say the store will create 200 new jobs and provide businesses with much-needed parking space.

To sign the Stokey Local petition go to http://stokeylocal.org.uk.