MP calls for review over post office closure blunders

11:28am Thursday 14th February 2008

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CAMPAIGNERS have called on the city council to consider legal action against Post Office bosses over their decision to close a York branch.

John Grogan, the Selby MP whose constituency includes Fulford, hit out at Post Office Ltd after it refused to reconsider the closure of the Fulford branch, announced last week. Post Office Ltd said in its consultation results that 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 said there was no right of appeal against the decision to shut the branch.

Now Mr Grogan has asked City of York Council to consider applying to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision.

"I made perfectly clear in my own submissions to Post Office Ltd that the Germany Beck site has received full outline planning permission from the Secretary of State last May following a public inquiry," he said.

"Like all such planning applications, there is then a further stage when the detailed design is submitted to the council before construction starts.

"Post Office Ltd seem very confused in their public statements about this whole process. I wonder if there isn't a case for a judicial review here. I think it's something useful for City of York Council to discuss with their legal department."

A spokeswoman for Post Office Ltd said it would not be reconsidering closure.

She said "Final decisions were made after full consideration was given to all representations and correspondence received from interested parties, including City of York Council."

Aasif Rabbani, the Fulford sub postmaster, said he welcomed any move that may save the branch.

"We're for anything that can be done to help Fulford stay, for us and for all the people who use the post office," he said.

"The whole consultation was a farce, and in particular regarding Germany Beck. It was the wrong decision and it should be looked at again."

Bill Woolley, director of city strategy at the council, said: "Clearly there is a need to discuss the issue further with the Post Office Ltd before considering whether a judicial review would even be appropriate.