QUESTIONS are being asked by concerned locals about the need for a fourth convenience store in the same road.
An application has been made for a 4,000sq ft shop in White Hart Lane, Portchester.
But there are already three similar stores on the same stretch – and people are worried that another store would be too much.
Landowner Punch Partnerships, which owns the neighbouring Wicor Mill pub, has put the planning application in to Fareham Borough Council.
Hazel Woodman, chairwoman of the Portchester Civic Society said: ‘With no details of who will be operating this store, it’s difficult to understand why another is needed in the area.
‘We already have a Co-op within a few yards of this site and a new Co-op in the former White Hart pub, plus there’s a large Co-op in the precinct nearby as well.
‘There’s also a One Stop further down White Hart Lane. If this is Co-op wishing to relocate their existing nearby store, and they’ll dispose of the existing site for housing, then we’d welcome it, as it would alleviate the terrible parking problems experienced around there.
‘If it’s just a war between supermarkets, then this new store will be detrimental to all the shops in the area.’
Sue Wilson-Smith if Cornaway Lane in Portchester, said: ‘Why do we need another convenience store when there is already one on the other side of the pub?
‘There is an empty shop across the road which has just been sold. It would be better to give permission for that to be used as a retail outlet than build a brand new one.’
And Gary Brown of Foxbury Grove added: ‘The opening hours of the proposed store, from 6am to 11pm, virtually 365 days a year, are far too excessive, especially with many other convenience stores within easy reach of the rest of the Portchester community.’
Elizabeth Burt, of Savills Planning, the agent for the application, refused to say if any business was connected with the potential store. She said: ‘That information is confidential at this time.’
No date has been set for it to go before the council’s planning committee.
Comments