Flats plan for ex-PO unveiled

PLANS to transform a town’s former post office into flats have been unveiled by developers.

Anglesey Council has received an application to convert Holyhead’s former Crown Post Office into eight flats, with the building having been empty for the past five years.

Postal services in the town were moved to the Chocolate Box store on Stanley Street in 2015, despite a much publicised campaign to retain the crown branch on Boston Street.

But having been sold at auction last year after earlier plans by a communities first group fell through, this could mean the end of the building’s retail use.

The plans submitted by Mr Benjamin Popat, which would see the building converted into three maisonettes and three flats, describe the former post office as having “little prospect of returning into commercial use,” but would be converted in a “sympathetic manner in keeping with its scale and historicity.”

The supporting documents go on to note: “Built in the early 19th century as a substantial private dwelling “Rosemount”, with extensive landscaped gardens, the building found subsequent use as the main Holyhead Post and Sorting Offices until their closure in 2015.

“The site was subsequently purchased by Môn Communities First, who received planning permission in May 2017 for a new extension at the rear and conversion of the building to their own multi-purpose use.

“Môn CF was unable to proceed with this development, however, and was sold at auction in 2019.

“The other portion, containing a separate building and land with access from St Cybi street, is leased as storage to the local authority.”

It went on to say, “In visual terms the proposed development will have minimal impact on the existing streetscape.

“The building will be restored to a sustainable use with only the addition of a small number of people (10 or 12 at the most) to those already living in adjacent properties.”