The future of an historic post box may be safeguarded this week when councillors hear it forms an essential part of a listed building.

The controversial post box in Wheldrake

The Royal Mail has applied to remove the box mounted in the wall at the Post Office in Main Street, Wheldrake.

Its fate had already been sealed when the box's collection role was taken over by a replacement free standing box on the pavement in front of the Post Office.

But local parish councillors have won the backing of planning officers in resisting the removal of the old box.

On Thursday the City of York Council's planning and transport committee will be recommended to refuse the proposal.

A report by development control officer Claire Eynon points out the box is in the Wheldrake conservation area and on a Grade II Listed Building.

She says the box is no longer adequate for the volume of mail posted in the village. It has been sealed and replaced by the free standing box, which did not need planning permission.

But she adds: "Although the wall mounted posting box is no longer operated by the Post Office, it is considered to form an essential part of the historic character and appearance of the listed building and should therefore be retained, even if blanked off."

Wheldrake Parish Council has also objected to its removal, and its chairman, David Dick, said he was pleased the planning officers had listened to their comments.

He said the village had developed a colossal amount. "We do value greatly our conservation area of the Main Street," added Coun Dick.

"It's an extremely old box. It's been there a heck of a long time and it's part of the character of the village."

The parish council would like the box to be retained "for as long as possible", though it had said it would reconsider its approach if the owner of the Post Office ever wanted to change its use and sell it, and having the box there might prove a deterrent to buyers.

Coun Dick agreed the box was "completely impractical" for the Royal Mail because it was too small for the volume of letters now being posted in the village.

The city councillors will also be asked on Thursday to request details of how the box will be permanently sealed "as the existing seal is not considered appropriate".

see COMMENT 'First class tradition'

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