Plans to turn former Salisbury post office into flats and shops

The building, on the corner of Castle Street and Chipper Lane, has been empty since the Post Office closed in March 2016. 

The application site is positioned on the corner of Chipper Lane and Castle Street and comprises four separate buildings, two of which (numbers 24 and 26) are Grade II Listed.

The proposal includes the conversion of the former Post Office, number 26, and numbers 32-36 Castle Street, along with demolition and rebuilding at numbers 28-30.

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The Georgian House - No. 26 Castle Street (Image: Planning documents)

The site is located within the Salisbury Conservation Area and is bounded by Qudos to the north and by the BT Telephone Exchange to the east.

The planning documents say that the building has been altered "significantly" through the subdivision of rooms at the front and rear of the ground floor and also through the subdivision of the two front rooms on the first floor.

The applicants add: "These buildings are boarded up and in a state of despair."

Proposals

The majority of buildings on the site are to be "retained and enhanced" as part of the proposal.

The development would provide both commercial uses on the ground floor, as well as residential units

28-30 Castle Street is to be demolished and rebuilt as part of the scheme.

These buildings were approved to be demolished and rebuilt under previous lapsed schemes. 

No "significant changes" are proposed externally to the listed or historic buildings.

The Grade II Listed railings and telephone boxes which sit to the front of the site remain unaffected by the scheme.

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Former Post Office, 24-36 Castle Street, Salisbury (Image: Newsquest)

History

In June 2008, planning permission, listed building consent and conservation area consent was granted for the change of use of 24 and 26 Castle Street and number 36 Castle Street and the replacement with the construction of a new build on the site to provide a 56-bed boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant.

A new purpose building Post Office was also proposed.

In June 2009, planning permission and listed building consent was granted for the Change of Use (24 And 26 Castle Street and 1-11 Chipper Lane) and part demolition and new build (28-36 Castle Street - Front Façade to 36 Castle Street to Be Retained) to provide a 50-bed Hotel, café/bar, restaurant and new post office.

The application approved sought a revised but almost identical scheme of that already approved the year before. The main difference was the retention of the front façade of 36.

To view the plans click here.