1930s’ post office faces axe under £17m plan for homes

CONCERNS OVER the demolition of a 1930s post office have been put to one side by planners who recommend the go-ahead for a new £17m housing development in Hull’s burgeoning arts and cultural quarter.

Hull Council’s officers said the Neo-Georgian former post office at 76, Queen Street, on the corner with Blanket Row, should not be knocked down.

The officers also criticised new commercial units flanking the entrance to Horner’s Square as “over dominant, out-of-scale and incongruous”.

Plans for 109 homes and commercial units by the Wykeland Beal joint-venture company go before the city’s planning committee on Wednesday next week.

The mews-style development, which is a key part of plans for a new urban village in the heart of Hull’s Fruit Market, is scheduled to be built in four blocks on two parcels of land, one to the south of Blanket Row and north of Humber Street, and the second on the car park north of Blanket Row.

There will be 47 one and twobedroomed apartments, as well as 62 two and three-bedroomed townhouses and five commercial units.

Commenting on the plans in a report, council officers said 76 Queen Street “contributes positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area, and following the loss of several historic buildings within the area in recent years its historic value is greatly increased”.

However, the applicants claimed a “new building is favoured as it provides clear opportunities to animate this street at this important corner”.

City council planners are recommending the plans which will “regenerate a key development site within the city centre” for conditional approval.

The area’s resurgence has already attracted dozens of new businesses. Previously developers said if the plans are approved, construction could begin by the end of the year.