Tree may thwart post office plan

Owner Priyvadan Rughani said he would have to abandon the idea of opening a new post office if his latest plan to provide more parking space for customers is turned down.

But planning officers are recommending a Malvern Hills planning committee to refuse the plan at its meeting next week.

Mr Rughani began negotiations to take on the post office when he first heard that the village postmaster was retiring last Christmas.

At the time this would have left the parish without a post office, as the one at Callow End had closed in March 2002, but a new one has since opened at the Blue Bell public house.

Mr Rughani's plan involves making extra car parking space for post office customers under a mature beech tree on the cramped service station site.

His original scheme for five spaces was withdrawn because it was said to threaten the health of the tree.

The ground level was to be raised in an effort to avoid damaging the roots, but Malvern Hills planning officers said this would not save the tree, which had already suffered some die-back from previous development of the site.

The new proposal is for two new spaces on raised metal platforms under the tree, with a ramp leading down to the forecourt.

Members of the northern area planning committee deferred consideration of the application last month so that they could visit the site.

They are due to make a decision on Wednesday.

There are no objections from the parish council or the highway partnership, but planning officers still believe the scheme would cause an unacceptable amount of root disturbance.

They say the raised platforms would spoil the appearance of the conservation area and oil leaks from parked cars could contaminate the soil and threaten the long-term health of the tree.

"I am still hoping for approval," said Mr Rughani.

If I don't get planning permission this time, the post office plan will have to go."