The Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) has objected once again to Tesco’s plans to put a Timpson pod on a shared footpath and cycleway.

The pod would be located on the path that runs round the back of Tesco and links The Petersfield School (TPS), Petersfield Infant School and the meadow.

When the previous application was active in 2023, PeCAN counted a peak flow of more than 800 pedestrians using the path, and the majority of these pedestrians were teenage students heading to or from TPS.

In their latest objection, the charity said: “We object to this planning application because the Timpson pod will create a pinch point on a very busy pedestrian and cycle route.

“Crowding and congestion will occur, with the flow of pedestrians disrupted at peak times, so reducing the amenity of this key school travel route. Furthermore, the Timpson pod will block the sightlines of cycle users, increasing the potential for collisions between cycle users and pedestrians, thus reducing the safety of this route.

“This application is similar to that submitted by Tesco in 2023 (SDNP/22/05541/FUL) which was withdrawn.”

PeCAN added that the reduced width of the shared path due to the pod would be “inadequate” due to:

  • The high pedestrian flow at peak times (mostly students from TPS)
  • Tendency of teenage students to walk in large groups
  • Presence of young children from Petersfield Infants School and their younger siblings
  • Tendency of people to linger near the entrance of the Tesco Store
  • The entrance of the proposed Timpson pod opens directly onto the pinch point created by the pod and into a cycleway.

The organisation also cited comments made in 2023 by locals and authorities, The East Hampshire Local Cycling and Walking Plan, relevant policies and more.

Louise Bevan, councillor for Petersfield Heath, said: “I object to this application noting the objections raised by Hampshire Highways and PeCAN.

“Their evidence based arguments based on professional and local knowledge backed up by surveys undertaken in May 2023 provide strong reasons to refuse this planning application.

“It is true without any doubt that adequate footway/footpath provision is an essential factor in encouraging walking. Since the site layout undermines a pedestrian route, this application runs counter to the National Planning Policy Framework.

“Please refuse this application which would negatively affect the health and wellbeing of so many students and school children in Petersfield.”

Read PeCAN’s full objection at: https://tinyurl.com/PeCAN-Timpson-pod-objection.