Ealing Council has narrowly approved plans to demolish and rebuild Northolt Post Office, with the facility set to remain open throughout the construction period. The decision, made on Wednesday, August 19, will see the Post Office on Mandeville Road rebuilt to a larger size, alongside 500 self-storage units. The committee voted five to four in favour of the plans.
Post Office to Remain Open During Construction
Locals will be pleased to know that the agent for the applicant outlined plans which will ensure the Post Office will remain open during the construction period. After a slight microphone mishap caused ringing sounds throughout the room, Mr Dingle said that the applicant “will provide temporary accommodation for the Post Office inside the Northolt Centre”. The new facility will also provide jobs for 16 employees.
Mr Dingle explained that the units will be utilised by around 300 residents and 200 businesses at any one time. The scheme will also provide retail space on the ground floor, potentially for shops and a cafe.
Concerns Over Design and Impact
The committee approved the plans with five councillors in favour, and four against the plans. Some residents also opposed the application, arguing that self-storage units should not be in the heart of the town. Zena Masni, Chair of the Northolt Residents' Association, described the plans for self-storage units as “soulless”. She said: “The design of the building is rather monumental and industrial, and in no way fits with the area as it looks more like a factory building which does not fit the local context of Northolt.”
The Chair added: “The soulless nature of the self-storage facility adds nothing to the benefit of the local community and would be better suited to an industrial estate. In conclusion, the local community find the proposed self-storage facility to be the wrong use and the wrong building at the wrong height in the wrong location and we urge the council to reject this current planning proposal.”
The building is set to reach five storeys at its tallest point, with stepped architecture to prevent any intrusion on the privacy of neighbouring residential properties.
Councillors Divided on the Proposal
Some councillors echoed these concerns. Cllr Andrew Bailey, Councillor for Northolt Mandeville, argued that the plans contradict the millions of pounds of public investment spent on reducing congestion and improving active travel in the town. He said: “[Residents] concerns are about the sheer size of the building… it's five storeys and it's in a raised prominent position… I still think it will be very visible and it will change the whole view of Northolt, as soon as you pass the station it will be the first thing you see.”
Cllr Miriam Rice raised concerns about the lack of housing, telling the committee: “What community would really like to see is residential [developments], they would like to see a high street… and this is really completely the opposite of that kind of aspiration.”
Not everyone was against the application. Councillor Katie Douglas approved of the design, arguing that it minimises residential impact. She added: “I do think the design of the building is particularly good… and I do think it is… in keeping with what you’d expect to see in the area.”
Cllr Martin also supported the plans, noting that with the surrounding area being dominated by bungalows “any development on the site is going to be higher than the bungalows that are already there”. She concluded by arguing that it adds to a currently “not very exciting walk” from Northolt station.
Vote Outcome and Next Steps
Labour councillors Dee Martin, Anthony Kelly, Katie Douglas and Praveen Anand voted in favour of the plans. Cllr Gary Busuttil also waved through the proposals, breaking from the other Lib Dems on the committee. Councillors Miriam Rice, Valery Ryan, Lakhbir Singh and Cllr Sean Hanrahan voted against.
The approval means the redevelopment will proceed, with the Post Office continuing to serve the community from temporary accommodation within the Northolt Centre during the construction phase.
