Cromer flats given green light despite Royal Mail concern

The plans, lodged by Anglian Home Solutions with North Norfolk District Council, proposed building the flats in the centre of Cromer.

The application outlined plans to demolish a dilapidated building on Bond Street, and replace it with a three-storey building, and a second two-storey building, both with “roof-space accommodation”. 

However, the plans were met with objections from Royal Mail, which has a delivery office close to the site. 

Royal Mail had concerns about the noise from its office causing issues for new residents and the potential for the development site itself to “restrict or ultimately prevent Royal Mail operations.”

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The Royal Mail delivery office in Cromer (Image: Google) READ MORE: Cromer travel writer sparks civilisation debate

A document objecting to the plans said: “Royal Mail is concerned about potential noise complaints from new residents who have moved into residential developments adjoining their operational sites where the developer has failed to adequately take into account and mitigate for Royal Mail’s operations in the design and construction of the housing.

“Operationally, the site is run from 05:30 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and generates a significant amount of noise and high numbers of two-way vehicular movements per day. 

“The introduction of residential development in such proximity to the DO is of significant concern to Royal Mail as this use potentially gives rise to future amenity issues and challenges which could restrict or ultimately prevent Royal Mail operations at that site.”

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The close proximity of the proposed development site (left) and the Royal Mail delivery office (right) (Image: Google) An owner of a nearby flat responded to Royal Mail’s concern’s suggesting that the issue may actually be with their operations.

They stated: “There is already residential development and we are suffering from Royal Mail’s self-confessed ‘noise and disturbance’.

“Rather than standing in the way of welcome and badly-needed investment in housing and tourism, perhaps Royal Mail could be persuaded to follow the logic of their objection – and admission of creating noise inappropriate for a residential area.”

The objection also raises concerned about Royal Mail vans blocking access to pavements down the narrow street, potentially causing hazards for pedestrians or increased traffic on the street. 

Full approval was given by North Norfolk District Council.