NEWTON Abbot's town centre post office in Market Walk is dead and buried after a battle for more than two years to keep it open. The final nail was driven into the coffin when Planning Inspectorate inspector Colin Ball, who presided over last month's two-day public inquiry, decided that Costcutter Supermarkets Ltd could have the main post office in its store in 83-85 Queen Street. The supermarket chain had appealed against Teignbridge Council's refusal to allow the change of use of the car repair/service unit at the rear of its store. Mr Ball allowed the appeal with a condition requiring the investigation of and, if required, remedial work on, any contamination in the building – which was used as a workshop and is likely to have resulted in some hydrocarbon contamination. An application for costs by Costcutter against the district authority, will be subject of a separate decision. It is the latest erosion of post office services in Newton Abbot – the death knell having already sounded at the sub post offices in Highweek, Broadlands, Decoy and Queen Street. In his findings, Mr Ball said that while noting the strong objections to the relocation, that specific matter was not a land use consideration and not something he could deal with. 'Those objections should be addressed to the Post Office,' he said. The main issue was the effect the proposed change of use and supermarket enlargement would have on highway safety in Lemon Road and Queen Street. 'In common with most town centre shops, the supermarket is serviced from the street. There are demarcated loading bays close by in Queen Street. Lorries can also safely park for unloading on double yellow lines in Queen Street just beyond the Lemon Road junction. 'The supermarket's loading doors are on Lemon Road. This has given rise to lorries occasionally parking to unload in Lemon Road, which is very narrow. When this happens, cars have to mount the pavement to pass. 'While this may be done at slow speed, there is clearly the potential for danger to pedestrians. However, a lorry parked in this location causes an obstruction and the driver, and perhaps the store manager too, if unloading is taking place, would be open to prosecution,' his report added. Mr Ball continued that this part of Queen Street, while not within the primary shopping area, was a town centre shopping street. He said there was no policy objection to the creation of additional retail space in this location and he recognised the closure of the town centre post office and its relocation was 'locally unpopular'. 'The post office could be moved into any local shop with no need for planning permission and regardless of servicing arrangements or highway safety implications,' he said. His report maintained that while the post office would not be central, it would be within reasonable walking distance so it would be readily accessible to all pedestrian users. 'In my view, the proposal would not adversely affect the local road network in terms of traffic and road safety,' he stated.
