Ealing Council is expected to approve the redevelopment of the Northolt Post Office, which will see the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a larger facility including 500 self-storage units, despite more than 100 objections from local residents.
Council to Decide on Northolt Post Office Plans
Councillors on Ealing's planning committee are set to decide on Wednesday, August 19, whether to approve the plans for 46 Mandeville Road in Northolt. Council documents indicate that officers have recommended approval of the application.
If approved, the Post Office will be temporarily closed during construction as the existing building is knocked down. The new Post Office will be rebuilt and will be slightly larger than the current site, ensuring the service remains available to the community.
Expansion and Design Details
The proposals will expand the onsite floor space from 1,210.5 square metres to 7,258 square metres. The building will reach up to five storeys, stepping down to four and then two storeys at the rear. This stepped architecture is designed to moderate the building's impact on nearby low-rise homes and gardens on Eastcote Lane and Moat Farm Road.
The main part of the building will house 500 self-storage units operated by Access Self Storage. The development will also introduce 357 square metres of commercial and retail space along Mandeville Road.
Community Objections and Concerns
The application initially resulted in 99 letters of objection and just two in support. Objectors felt that a self-storage facility should be on an industrial estate rather than in the heart of the town. Others claimed that the development was a “wasted opportunity to enhance [the] town centre”, arguing that the site should “provide more local shops, a cafe and affordable housing… with flats above, providing homes for local people”.
Local ward councillor Chris Summers also objected, raising concerns that the “redevelopment of this landmark site should maximise the benefits of its location and not worsen existing traffic congestion on Mandeville Road”. He added that a self-storage facility “would add traffic from the A40 and would be more appropriately located closer to the A40 junction”.
Revised Plans and Mitigations
A subsequent re-consultation on amended plans drew a further 15 objections. Concerns raised by local residents and the Northolt Residents Association primarily focused on the visual scale of a five-storey building, potential traffic congestion on Mandeville Road, and a preference for a residential-led scheme in line with the site's draft allocation in Ealing's emerging Local Plan.
However, council officers noted that the draft plan is not yet adopted and carries limited weight, and that ownership constraints, market conditions, and viability would restrict residential development in the near term.
To resolve visual and amenity concerns, the applicant submitted revisions in November 2025 and April 2026. Key amendments include the replacement of ground floor offices with active retail/cafe frontage. Additionally, to protect residents' privacy, all upper floor windows facing the rear homes were removed. The front public service road was also redesigned to feature one-way traffic with a dedicated 11-space 'Stop & Shop Plus' customer parking.
To mitigate the impacts of the development, the developer has agreed to a number of Section 106 contributions totalling £430,470. This includes £216,270 for off-site affordable workspace, and £73,180 towards the council's Air Quality Action Plan measures. There would also be a contribution of £50,000 for employment, training, and skills, including providing two full apprenticeships and three work placements.
