Heritage centre will put a stamp on town's history

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/ ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A HERITAGE centre commemorating Sutton's pivotal role in keeping servicemen in touch with loved ones during the Second World War has been given the go-ahead.

Royal Mail has confirmed a new modern delivery office will be built at its Upper Clifton Drive site, including an historical element, which will "record, display and celebrate the history of the site and the buildings".

However, the industrial building, which was purpose-built in 1942 to house the sorting office for American forces stationed in the UK, continental Europe and North Africa, and is the existing delivery office, is set to go.

The listed building, one of two on site, is earmarked for demolition due to repair costs totalling almost £2 million with "numerous repair problems" including the "urgent need for a new roof".
Stay one step ahead of the weather

Royal Mail said it plans to "sensitively refurbish" the remaining listed building – the derelict Victorian goods shed – for office use.

The remainder of the site, which is no longer used by the service, will be redeveloped for housing.

Royal Mail is expected to submit a planning application, which it said follows "several years of careful preparation and discussion" with the city council, English Heritage, Andrew Mitchell MP, councillors and residents.

A public exhibition was also held at Sutton Town Hall last November.

Interested parties will be given a further chance to lodge their views during the planning process.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "This is an essential redevelopment that will not only provide much needed new facilities, but will also ensure employment and that Royal Mail's presence within Sutton Coldfield is retained.

"The location at Upper Clifton Drive has been used by Royal Mail since the end of World War Two.

"However, a large proportion of the site is no longer utilised and, since around 2002, Royal Mail has sought a solution that retains a delivery office and makes better use of the remaining land."

Sutton's MP Andrew Mitchell said he had recently met with Turley Associates, which is handling the redevelopment on behalf of Royal Mail and wanted to ensure the new development would be carried out sensitively and would provide a suitable mix of family homes.

He said: "This is an historically important piece of prime land in Sutton.

"The site is clearly set within a residential neighbourhood and will affect those living locally.

"I have therefore sought assurances from Royal Mail that any development at the delivery office will take on board the results of the full public consultation.

"I will be keeping in close contact with Royal Mail as its plans progress."