A popular footpath and cycleway is under threat by plans to erect a new pod of national cobbler chain, Timpson. For the second time, Tesco has submitted a planning application to install a pod which would reduce the width of a shared path. This application is similar to that submitted in 2023.

The path runs round the back of Tesco and links both The Petersfield School and Petersfield Infant School with the north and west of Town.

If it went ahead, the width of the path would be reduced from 8 to 3 metres, creating a pinch point that would be unsafe for pedestrians and cyclist at peak times, especially since this route is used by students of The Petersfield School and young children travelling to Petersfield Infants School. Crowding and congestion will occur, with the flow of pedestrians disrupted at peak times. The proposed pod would create blind corners, thus endangering pedestrians, especially the younger children who are less aware of the risk of collisions with cycle users and people coming and going from the door of the pod.

In 2023, a team of volunteers from Petersfield Climate Action Network’s (PeCAN) Active Travel group counted the number of people using this route and recorded in excess of 800 pedestrians per hour at peak times on this route. You can read a report from this count here.

For these reasons, PeCAN has sent an objection letter (it may be a few days before this can be viewed on the planning website). If you would like to share your views on the proposed planning application, here are some ideas:

  • Submit a comment directly on the planning portal here – the full reference of the planning proposal is SDNP/24/05317/FUL. The reference for the 2023 application was SDNP/22/05541/FUL.
  • Write to your local EHDC Councillor to alert them to the planning application and share your comments with them. Find out who your local EHDC councillor is here.

If you are interested in learning more about PeCAN’s Active Travel group and perhaps volunteering to take part in future counts or surveys, visit our volunteering page here