A CAMPAIGN has been launched in a bid to reinstate the much-used and well-loved Witton Post Office which closed its doors 18 months ago.
It comes after an application was submitted to Wychavon District Council to convert the building on Worcester Road, which housed the branch, into a veterinary surgery.
Although residents were only given seven days to put a petition together they managed to rack up an overwhelming 370 signatures opposing the proposal.
Many comments on the application brought up how residents, especially the elderly and partially disabled, had missed the post office since its closure.
Other problems highlighted included the lack of car parking as the spaces were already being used regularly by the staff and customers from nearby businesses such as the recently-refurbished hairdressers and beauty salon. Residents suggested parking issues would become worse if it was turned into a vet’s.
Points were also made about the amount of vet clinics already in the town compared to the one post office, in the town centre.
Many comments pointed out a town as big as Droitwich needed more than one post office especially if the go-ahead was given for more houses to be built.
Another fear voiced by petitioners was about the busy main road which made the area near the site an unsuitable and dangerous place for animals to be coming and going from.
The planned bin area, outside the front of the clinic where schoolchildren would be passing, was also brought up as a concern.
Coun Bob Brooks said: “By definition, a business of the type proposed will need to deal with sick and diseased animals and the disposal of animal corpses, which I believe to be an inappropriate activity in this location.”
He added the proposed layout of the vets appeared to be very cramped and in his opinion it did not have sufficient space to accommodate customers bringing sick and injured animals.
Coun Tom Noyes told the Standard he would be submitting a document to the council’s planning committee opposing the proposal.
“After so many promises and correspondence to get this post office back I’m deeply disappointed.
“I do not think it will be as bad as some people have made out but I’m not very hopeful.”
The Standard contacted the agent who has been dealing with the lease of the property, but he declined to comment at this time.
