A PROPOSAL to convert a “redundant” former post office into flats in Bargoed has been granted planning permission.
Caerphilly County Borough Council planners agreed the McDonnell Road premises, previously known as The Olde Post Cafe and Shoppe, can be converted into three one-bedroom flats.
Planning officers had questioned whether the project, by applicant Neil Carter, would mean the loss of a community facility.
Typically, this is only allowed if a developer can provide a “comparable replacement facility” nearby or if the existing site is considered surplus to requirements.
The council planners said they “carefully considered” the impact of the loss of a post office site, but noted it had been closed since September 2017.
“Various efforts” to revive the premises as a post office had been unsuccessful.
A newer post office, inside a convenience store in Bargoed, was recently refurbished and is in a location that is “arguably more convenient” than the former McDonnell Road site, the planners said.
That post office, and other sites locally which offer similar services, mean “the application site has been proven to be surplus to requirements and therefore justification exists for its loss”, they concluded.One neighbour objected to the McDonnell Road proposals, however, complaining about the availability of parking and claiming the new flats will “worsen this”.
But council planners said the project will create three off-street parking spaces, which is “the minimum required”.
The flats conversion will also involve “minor external alterations” and the front of the building will be “reinstated” to match the appearance of neighbouring houses in the street.
