Former Post Office will be transformed into 27 new flats

Nyala Investments LLP is to partly demolish the Old Post Office building in Wakefield Old Road, Dewsbury, to build the homes after planners gave it the green light.

The Edwardian Baroque style structure, which is in the Dewsbury Conservation Area, was built by architect Walter Pott. It operated as a Post Office from 1907.

Coun Cathy Scott (Lab, Dewsbury East) said that she was for anything that positively impacts or helps to re-generate the town centre.

“This town centre needs revitalising and people have got to realise it’s not only for shops.”

She said that the accommodation would increase footfall and business.

A statement by the developers said: “The new development will provide independent living accommodation for elderly persons comprising of 27 units arranged over five floors with staff facilities.”

It added that the plans will “significantly improve the quality of the site and have a positive impact on the setting of the Baptist Church and generally provide an enhancement to the appearance of the Conservation Area.

“This will be achieved by the demolition of certain negative elements of the existing building, in particular the red brick portions to the rear, the lightweight industrial glazed structure to the Sorting Hall and Delivery Depot, which are currently situated immediately adjacent to the Dewsbury Baptist Church.”