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The current shop floor at the rear would be converted for housing while a vacant unit at the front of the building would become the new post office
Enfield Post Office could be about to get a radical overhaul as plans have been submitted to build four residential flats where the business currently operates.
While the front-facing features of the 120-year-old locally-listed building are planned to remain, the current large post office space at the rear would be converted for housing, while a vacant unit at the front of the building would become the new retail area.
At present customers have to walk through a corridor to reach the current post office, which occupies a large space also shared with other small retail businesses. The vacant unit at the front has been unoccupied for over a year since a bedding company departed.
It is not the first time that the building’s owner, Rishabhdev Ltd, has sought to build new flats at the post office. Over ten years ago the company sought pre-application advice for eight flats, but this scheme was ultimately not taken forward.
Describing the latest proposal in recently-submitted planning documents, consultants H Planning Ltd state: “The current unit is too large for the post office, and in order to reduce costs, they have expressed a desire to relocate into the vacant commercial unit which fronts onto Church Street.
“This proposal would have the dual benefit of providing an ‘active frontage’ onto Church Street and maintaining the post office function at the site. We consider that the retention of the post office function at the site is a key benefit as it has been in situ since 1906 (approx). The building was purpose-built as a post office at that time.
“On this basis, the existing post office unit would become surplus to requirements. The rear commercial unit doesn’t benefit from a street frontage and is much larger than typical retail occupiers demand in Enfield Town centre. On this basis, it is proposed to reconfigure the rear commercial unit to provide four residential flats.”
The current postmaster of Enfield Post Office, Paramjit Dev, has written a letter to Enfield Council in support of the plans, citing recent declines in the amount of addressed post being handled by Royal Mail.
“We are constantly looking for ways to continue to provide our service to customers, whilst reducing costs,” wrote Paramjit. “In addition, the current Post Office in Enfield Town is much larger than a typical branch which adds to overall costs.”
Paramjit said they were therefore “supportive of the proposal” on the basis it would create an “active street frontage” as well as the “reduction in unnecessary floor area which will reduce rent and rates liabilities, leading to financial cost efficiencies for the branch” which he said would “reduce the risk of branch closure”.
The planning application (ref 25/04391/FUL) is now under consideration by Enfield Council. Comments can be made via the online planning portal before the deadline on Thursday, 19th February.
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