High Barnet Post Office eyed for nine new flats
Barnet Council is considering an application to convert the former Crown Post Office into residential units.
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The central claim is attributed to consultants for the owners and planning consultants, with specific details about the application and building history.
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The article clearly separates fact from comment, provides specific details, and explains the historical context and future implications.
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The language is measured, focusing on the factual implications of the planning application.
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Barnet Council is currently reviewing an application to convert the former Crown Post Office in High Barnet into nine self-contained flats. The proposal, if approved, would see the interior of the locally listed building, situated within the Wood Street Conservation Area, transformed into residential units. This potential conversion underscores a notable shift in High Barnet's town centre, where residential properties are increasingly outnumbering retail outlets.
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The High Street in High Barnet has experienced a significant increase in residential addresses over the past decade, growing from approximately 50 to 398. This expansion is largely attributed to the conversion of vacant spaces above shops and commercial premises into homes. This trend reverses a post-war decline in residents living above their businesses, returning the area to levels not seen since before World War II. The former Crown Post Office building itself, constructed between 1903 and 1905, is noted for its Edwardian commercial architecture.
Details of the Conversion Proposal
The application, submitted under permitted development rights, outlines the creation of four one-person studio flats, four two-person one-bedroom flats, and one two-person one-bedroom duplex flat. Consultants for the owners state that the internal alterations will be discreet and will not affect the significance or heritage of the locally listed building. The exterior of the building will remain unchanged. An independent commercial unit facing the High Street is also expected to remain.
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Transport and Parking
As the application is made under permitted development rights, no car parking spaces will be provided for the new residents. Instead, the proposal includes the installation of a 12-space cycle park at the rear of the building. The applicant has indicated an agreement with Barnet Council that no parking permits will be issued for the development.
Next Steps
Barnet Council is currently considering the application. Residents and interested parties can view the full details of the proposal on the council's planning portal. A decision on the application is expected in the coming weeks.
Questions this report answers
+What is being proposed for the former Crown Post Office in High Barnet?
An application is being considered by Barnet Council to convert the former Crown Post Office into nine self-contained flats. The proposal involves internal alterations only, with no changes to the building's exterior. This development is part of a wider trend of increasing residential use in the town centre.
+Will there be any parking for the new flats?
No car parking spaces will be provided as part of the conversion. The application is being made under permitted development rights, which do not mandate car parking. However, a 12-space cycle park will be installed at the rear of the building.
+Is the former Crown Post Office a listed building?
Yes, the former Crown Post Office is a locally listed building. It is also situated within the Wood Street Conservation Area. The proposed conversion would involve internal alterations only, with consultants stating there will be no impact on the significance of the locally listed building.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
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