TESCO and The Petersfield School have submitted a planning application as they step up a bid to expand the Causeway supermarket and build a controversial all-weather sports pitch. The two parties are involved in a land-swap deal which, if successful, would see an artificial pitch with floodlighting and a host of other sports facilities built in the school grounds. Next door, Tesco is planning to build an extension to its store which would include a home delivery facility. But the joint scheme has been hit by criticism from residents on The Causeway who fear light and noise pollution from the sports pitch will make their lives a misery. And independent businesses in the town centre are also concerned that a larger supermarket with an increased range of goods could affect their trade. Meanwhile, a row has erupted over a 200-year-old oak tree which stands in the area earmarked for a sports pitch at the school. Headteacher Nigel Poole claims he has been told that the tree has become unsafe and needs to be cut down. But this has been disputed by a number of tree experts who say it only needs to undergo maintenance. Mr Poole is still adamant that better sports facilities at the school will benefit the whole community. He said: "The new sporting facilities will help us to deliver the school sports curriculum and offer wider ranging extra-curricular activities. "The all-weather sports pitch will provide a much- needed local sports facility that will be made available for use by the community." Felix Gummer, of Tesco, added: "The store extension will improve the range of both food and non-food goods available in the town. "The extended store will attract shoppers that currently do not use local facilities for food shopping. "The new store will encourage more people to shop in Petersfield. "The new home delivery facility will enable us to better serve Petersfield and the surrounding area which will help those who cannot get to a supermarket or have no time to do so." The application has been submitted to East Hampshire District Council by consultants Martin Robeson Planning Practice on behalf of TPS and Tesco. Once it is processed and validated by planners it will be available for public inspection at EHDC's Penns Place headquarters or on line at http://www.easthants.gov.uk">www.easthants.gov.uk.
