Plans to convert post office and shop in Hoxne into home given go-ahead

Plans to convert a village post office and shop into a home have been given the go-ahead.

The application made by T H Architects to Mid Suffolk District Council, proposed alterations inside to combine the post office and above flat in Hoxne into a single home.

The Hoxne Community Post Office Group had tried securing enough funds to take on the Low Street site since Joan Retallack, the village postmistress and shop owner, retired in September last year.

But since government Community Ownership Funding grants were stopped and not replaced in May 2024, the group struggled to find alternative funding.

Work on the building, which is Grade II listed, only includes changes that are needed inside to integrate the commercial shop and post office into becoming a single home.

In a report, Mid Suffolk District Council said: “We understand that the Hoxne Community Shop and Post office Group are still trying to find a way to raise the funds to save their shop and post office and this has been recognised.

“The nearest alternative post offices are in Stradbroke (3 miles – mobile PO rather than permanent), Harleston (6.5 miles) and Diss (10.5 miles)leaving local residents with no village services and a requirement to travel to access these facilities.

“On balance, we recognise that this property has been marketed extensively, albeit with sometimes conflicting commercial details and not having followed an approved process, yet no confirmed buyer has been secured.”

Planners concluded the application complied with policy.

Hoxne Parish Council agreed to recommend support of the application but pointed out there is photographic evidence which confirms the property does flood.

The most recent case of this during Storm Babet which triggered a flood investigation report with Suffolk County Council.