Future of closed post office is revealed -- all the latest Ashfield planning applications

For Ashfield District Council has received a planning application to convert the shop area and existing five-bedroom house at the former post office in Annesley Woodhouse into three two-bedroom houses.

The proposal also includes the construction of a modest two-storey extension at the back of the property and new windows at the front.

The Forest Road post office hit the headlines in 2018 when it was targeted by masked, armed robbers, who threatened staff with a crowbar and stole cash and cigarettes.

But many villagers were upset when it was announced in March this year that the branch would close. A Post Office spokesman explained this “followed the regrettable withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use”.

The previous month, the council had given planning consent to applicant Jaspal Chatha for a change of use from shop to residential.

The applicant behind the fresh plan is Chris Browne, who runs the property investment company, Horizon Living Ltd, which is based in Blackpool.

Acting on his behalf is the Nottingham-based agency, Grace Machin Planning and Property, which has submitted a planning statement, outlining the scheme, to the council.

The statement says the three new terraced homes would have a kitchen, dining room and living room on the ground floor, and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Each would have their own private garden.

Grace Machin says the “footprint of the building would be similar” to what it is now, and that the development “would complement the existing local character of the area”, with a “good-quality design”.

The council’s planning officers are now considering the proposal, with the aim of coming to a decision or recommendation by Tuesday, July 9.

Other planning applications submitted to the council include these:

1 Old Chapel Close, Kirkby – work to trees in a conservation area.

16 Downing Street, Sutton – demolition of building.

7 Nest Avenue, Kirkby – lawful development certificate for change of use from garage to office.

Turbine Surface Technologies Ltd, Little Oak Drive, Annesley – installation of modular building.

11 Lime Tree Avenue, Kirkby – demolition of existing kitchen, side garage and outbuilding, and construction of single-storey rear extension.

11 Sorrel Drive, Kirkby – lawful development certificate for single-storey rear extension.

Elmwood, Lodge Lane, Kirkby – two-storey front extension.

38 Cherry Avenue, Kirkby – single-storey rear extension.

38 Langton Hollow, Selston – single-storey extension at rear, front porch and associated parking.

33C Outram Street, Sutton – advertisement.

Sutton Sailing Club, King’s Mill Reservoir, Sherwood Way South, Sutton – application to vary a condition of planning permission previously approved.

31 Main Road, Underwood – change of use of ground floor from post office to residential (see above).

3 Yew Tree Drive, Huthwaite – conditional discharge of a condition relating to planning permission for bird and bat boxes.

8 Craster Street, Sutton – prior approval for a proposed larger single-storey rear extension.

Land west of Beck Lane, Sutton – conditional discharge of a condition relating to planning permission for drainage and road layout.

Residents are invited to post their comments here on any of these planning applications.