Skip to content
Worries Morrisons pedestrian access plans could limit mosque and Pendle town centre access
Morrisons supermarket wants to change pedestrian access to an East Lancashire site but some residents fear it will hinder people reaching bus stops or visiting a mosque or the town centre.
Morrisons has previously gained planning permission to install a car windscreen repair pod and canopy on part of its existing car bordering Pendle Street in Nelson. The repair pod would stand on existing parking spaces and be locked at night.
That previous application from last year included an illustration of an AutoGlass repair pod to show how it might look when built.
READ MORE: ‘I lost five stone and cured acne by eating raw meat and never felt better’
The supermarket said a car windscreen repair pod would be a popular addition to the Nelson site and boost the town centre economy. Currently, there is a Morrison’s petrol station and a car wash bay by the Pendle Street roundabout.
Planning permission for the car repair pod was granted last year on condition that a new pedestrian access point be created from Pendle Street. But now, Morrisons wants Pendle Borough Council to remove that condition.
Morrisons says other footpaths and access points allow people to move across the area. It has submitted a variation planning application to the council, which is being looked at by the Nelson Area Committee this week. Planning officers are recommending approval of the Morrisons request.
Neighbours have been contacted about Morrisons request, a council planning report states. Two written objections have been received. One, which has been made anonymous, states: “I wish to object to this variation because it is vital that this pedestrian access point is kept on the Pendle Street side of Morrisons. It is used daily by shoppers, ease for the bus stop access as well as people crossing the road to use local faith services. Hundreds used that access weekly. Please re-consider this application.”
The Ghosia Jamia Mosque is the nearby faith building on the north side of Pendle Street. It used by adults and children through the week. However, Morrison’s has said a new pedestrian link on Pendle Street would be further away from the supermarket and bus stops than the existing one. It would not be used because it would be quicker to use an existing path along the south side of Pendle Street.
Morrisons also believes that the existing and proposed Pendle Street access points to the car park are considered dangerous, because people are encouraged to cross the car park where vehicles are manoeuvring. It is safer for walkersb to use the main existing footpath. However, Lancashire County Council highways officers not support the new Morrisons proposal. They say removing the Pendle Street pedestrian access point would reduces the overall site’s ‘permeability’.
Highways officers say pedestrians already deal with manoeuvring vehicles elsewhere on the car park, so the Pendle Street section is no more dangerous. However, the car park is private land and Morrison’s has the right to control access.
Pendle Council planning officers say there are other access points from Every Street and Wellington Street. So removing the Pendle Street access point would be acceptable.
READ NEXT:
