Campaigners hit out over closure

8:19am Tuesday 12th February 2008

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CAMPAIGNERS have hit out over the closure of a York post office, after it emerged mail bosses botched their research.

Post Office Ltd believed the 700-home Germany Beck development, near the doomed Fulford branch, had not yet been given planning permission, despite it getting the go-ahead last May. It also mistook the number of houses planned as 1,200.

Despite the blunders, Post Office Ltd says there is no right of appeal against the decision to shut the branch.

Local councillor Keith Aspden said today: "This continues to represent the shambolic consultation and the post office must review the decision."

Coun Aspden said he planned to contact Post Office Ltd and Postwatch with his concerns, and ask for a rethink. He said: "My understanding is that the post office was not told that Germany Beck was yet to receive planning permission. They must have misunderstood."

He added: "It's incredibly disappointing if there is no right of appeal."

Aasif Rabbani, Fulford sub-postmaster, said: "Somewhere along the line, someone has not looked at the information properly.

"The whole consultation was a farce. It should be started again and looked at properly."

A Royal Mail Group spokeswoman said: "Post Office Ltd received representations from City of York Council regarding the proposed housing development at Germany Beck. Post Office Ltd was advised the development of 700 homes was yet to receive planning permission and, if granted, building work would take place over the next six to seven years. This information was considered alongside other representations received from interested parties."

But Roger Ranson, the council's assistant director for economic development, said the council had provided detailed information about the Germany Beck, clearly setting out the planning position and the scale and timing of the development, before the start of the consultation and in its final response. Mr Ranson said: "We understand from that the Post Office may have misunderstood the information that was sent prior to the consultation and we shall be seeking to clarify the details with them as soon as possible, to see if this impacts on their final decision in any way."

Mr Ranson welcomed the postponement of a decision on Micklegate, which is to be subject to a review.

He said: "We will be contacting Postwatch as soon as possible to see how the council can get involved in the review."