PETERSFIELD town councillors are concerned that the entrance to the new retail park will pose a threat to pedestrians.

At a meeting of their planning committee on Tuesday night, members were discussing an amendment to the plan for the former coalyard from Quadrant Estates.

The company wants to turn one of the proposed retail units into a health and fitness club and divide one of the remaining two units into two.

The units would be leased by High Street names Laura Ashley, Majestic Wines and Scats.

Councillors said they had no objection to the plan, but they have told East Hampshire District Council they are still concerned about the access to the site, particularly in relation to pedestrians.

Their concern centres on the access to the new retail park from Station Road, close to the level crossing.

Although there is a pedestrian refuge planned in the centre of the road, town councillors still feel there could be a danger to people crossing the road.

Chairman of the planning committee George Watkinson said: "The one area of concern about the plan is traffic. While there is a reasonable access in and out of the site, I still think it is going to cause congestion and other problems."

Kate Pitt told the meeting she was worried about the entrance because when the level crossing gates were closed, traffic often queued back down the Winchester Road."