Post Office admits blunder over closure

10:15am Wednesday 20th February 2008

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MAIL bosses have finally admitted botching their research at a doomed York post office - but say the mistake is not important.

Post Office Ltd has apologised for "any confusion" over the planned 700-home Germany Beck development, but says Fulford post office would have to close regardless.

In its closure decision statement, Post Office Ltd stated that Germany Beck did not yet have planning permission, and said that was a factor in the decision to shut the office.

But the massive housing scheme had been approved by a Government inspector last May.

Local residents and politicians reacted to the mistake with fury, but Adrian Wales, network development manager for Post Office Ltd, says it was not a major issue.

In a letter to local councillor Keith Aspden, he said: "In reality, though, the issue as to whether planning had or hadn't been granted was not a key factor in the decision to close the branch at Fulford.

"The information I received from City of York Council suggested that the Germany Beck development would occur at around 100-120 houses per year from 2008 and would not be complete for six or seven years.

"This was a more critical piece of information as it suggested that the impact of these new houses on Fulford post office in the immediate future would be relatively small and there was little additional evidence to suggest that, even in the longer term, Fulford post office would benefit directly."

Coun Aspden said today: "The post office has proved it really doesn't care about community need or future viability.

"It is simply determined to shut post offices to meet the Government target.

"Despite efforts on the part of Post Office Ltd to try to blame the council for the errors in their consultation document, they have finally taken responsibility for this major error."

He said: "It is very frustrating to hear from the post office that the development would in fact not make a difference to their decision, even if they had their facts right that the application had been accepted.

"I will continue to call for the post office to review its decision which will have such a detrimental impact on residents in my ward."