Parson Drove Post Office 7 The Bank Parson Drove Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE13 4JD

1. 1.The proposal would result in the permanent loss of an established commercial premises. Whilst the continued provision of Post Office services elsewhere within the village is noted, Policy LP6 seeks to safeguard existing retail, employment and community facilities from unnecessary loss. No marketing, viability or other robust evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the premises is no longer required, no longer viable or that there is no reasonable prospect of continued occupation for retail, commercial, employment or community purposes. The proposal has therefore failed to justify the loss of the existing premises and is contrary to Policy LP6 of the Fenland Local Plan (2014) and guidance contained within the NPPF.
2. 2.The proposed dwelling, by reason of its design, including the inclusion of prominent gable parapets and front dormer, would introduce a form of development that would fails to respond positively to the prevailing character and appearance of the area. The development would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the Parson Drove Conservation Area and would fail to make a positive contribution to local distinctiveness. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies LP16(d) and LP18 of the Fenland Local Plan (2014), the Delivering and Protecting High Quality Environments SPD, and Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
3. 3.The proposed development would provide substandard living accommodation for future occupiers by virtue of Bedroom 3 being served by no window opening, resulting in inadequate natural daylight, outlook and ventilation. As such, the proposal would fail to secure an acceptable standard of residential amenity and quality of accommodation for future residents, contrary to Policies LP2 and LP16 of the Fenland Local Plan (2014) and the principles of good design contained within the National Design Guide
4. 4.The proposed development fails to provide any off-street parking provision for the proposed three-bedroom dwelling, contrary to the Council's adopted parking standards. The absence of on-site parking would place increased reliance on on-street parking within a constrained section of the highway network, resulting in unacceptable pressure on available parking, to the detriment of highway safety and the free flow of traffic.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

PE13 4JD

Parish

Parson Drove Parish Council

Date validated

6 August 2026

Applicant

Private applicant

Case officer

Tracy Ranger

Documents

25