Signed, sealed but not yet delivered — a former post office in Freshwater could become 7 flats if planning permission is granted.
Sitting in the centre of Freshwater, the former Royal Mail sorting and post office, next to Hurst’s, has been on the market several times but now the new owner wants to turn the building into flats.
Applying to the Isle of Wight Council for planning permission, Mr Steadman-Lloyd is asking to turn the site into 5x 1-bedroom and 2x studio flats, over 3 floors, suitable for those looking for affordable rents.
In planning documents, agents say it would suit young, single people and couples looking for independent living at low cost due to the lack of a garden or lift.
After Royal Mail centralised its sorting offices, the company auctioned off the site and it has since become a craft market, ice cream parlour and shop.
Planning permission was previously granted to allow the building to be converted into 5 flats in 2018 but the schemes didn’t go ahead.
Now, new plans, with a new owner of the building, are looking to ‘deliver a better outcome’ for the building rather than the previous plans or leaving it in its currently unused state.
Planning agents said:
“This scheme has the potential to bring to a successful conclusion the redevelopment opportunity created by the Royal Mail’s relocation from the building many years ago.”
To read more of the plans or to comment you can visit the Isle of Wight Council’s planning portal, searching 20/01407/FUL.
Though sad that we don’t have Crown Post Offices in the High Streets anymore – it makes sense to turn the buildings in to residential accommodation before building on green fields.
Plenty of big empty shops and offices in Newport which could house many people if converted.
My thoughts too. High street is dying. Make it into something we need.
Never gonna happen. It isn’t green space, therefore converting them into houses/flats wouldn’t cause enough environmental damage, which is what the council/gov are hell-bent upon.
It’s got to be an improvement, Freshwater is looking very sad nowadays – high parking charges must have a lot to do with it.
Yes i think you are spot on
Its a shame the council don’t understand this
Didn’t think parking charges applied in Freshwater. Just pull up outside Hursts or opposite Sainsburys put on your hazard lights and bingo – park for free