Stansted's DO future in doubt

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Future of Stansted's Royal Mail delivery office cast into doubt after application is submitted for new site in Stortford

THE future of Royal Mail in Stansted has been cast into doubt by a planning application to open a new postal delivery office on an industrial estate in Bishop’s Stortford.

The company is seeking permission from East Herts District Council to use a vacant unit on the Stort Valley industrial estate, off Stansted Road, as a new office.

The unit has been empty for two years, having previously been used for storage by the now defunct former Stortford-based Clement Joscelyne furniture store.

A letter submitted with the planning application says: “As part of its ongoing modernisation programme to its delivery office estate in the Bishop’s Stortford area, [the unit] has been identified as providing suitable accommodation for Royal Mail Group (RMG) use.

“RMG wish to transfer their existing delivery office operation (including all employees) from their existing Stansted site to this site.”

However, Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said that no decision had yet been made on relocating the operation at Stansted’s delivery office in Chapel Hill.

She said: “Royal Mail can confirm that it is currently considering options for its Stansted delivery office operations as the lease on the building is due to expire later in the summer.

“We have submitted a planning application for a unit on the Stort Valley industrial estate in Bishop’s Stortford as a possible option, if planning consent is granted.

“However, no decision has been taken on the arrangements to relocate Stansted delivery office at this point in time.”

She added: “Customers in Stansted can currently collect mail from a local shop if they are not at home when we attempt delivery. There are no plans to change this service.”

Delivery offices perform the final stage of the delivery process. Post is taken from the mail centre to the delivery office nearest its final destination. The mail is then sorted, normally by the postmen who will deliver it.

The news comes in the same week that Barclays closed its branch in Cambridge Road, Stansted.

The historic premises are set to become the home of a Sainsbury’s Local store, joining Tesco Express and the Co-operative on the busy B1383, where congestion and parking are an increasing problem.

Following a hard-fought campaign to force the financial institution to stay in the village, a trial pop-up bank is to open tomorrow (Fri).

Barclays has agreed to a pilot scheme, operating once a week at the village’s Crafton Green day centre, next to the parish council’s office.