SUPERMARKET giant Asda's bid to create a new click and collect facility at its Colchester store has been turned down.

The firm applied for planning permission from Colchester Council to construct a new external pod at the front of the store.

This would be have been used for storage of items, including refrigerated products.

The existing click and collect canopy at the supermarket, located at the Turner Rise Retail Park, was also set to be removed.

However, the proposals have been turned down by Colchester Council's planning department due to concerns over the loss of footpath space.

The decision notice says: "The proposed storage pod will result in a significant reduction in width from 8 m to 1.5 m of an important pedestrian and cyclist access route in front of the store.

"This path funnels pedestrians walking to/from the steps from the Northern Approach Road/Petrolea roundabout and the ramp from the NAR near Bruff Close.

"Cyclists who use it are coming from either Petrolea Way, Bruff Close or the direction of Colchester General Hospital.

" The reduction in width is likely to result in pedestrians and cyclists having to divert into parking spaces when accessing in this location when other customers are encountered in this location.

"This would represent a significant danger and would result in the creation of an unsafe place and would also undermine appropriate accessibility for sustainable travel."

Residents and ward councillors had raised concerns over the proposed changes at the site.

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A separate planning application to install four new illuminated click and collect canopies at the supermarket has been approved.