Boston Borough Council has had a legal notice upheld by the courts, ordering the owners of the town’s former Post Office to renovate the historic landmark.
The Grade II listed property on Wide Bargate has been closed since 2014 when the Post Office relocated services to WH Smith’s.
In October 2022, the Council granted planning consent to Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd to turn it into 22 apartments as well as commercial space on the ground floor.
The following year, the Council started to receive regular complaints about the building’s poor condition.
The Council contacted Red Lion Wide Bargate Limited and were told renovation and repairs would begin in April 2024, however this did not happen.
In June last year, the Council served a formal notice on the owners, instructing for the necessary works to begin to improve the appearance of the property and to preserve it from further decay.
Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd formally appealed against the notice, stating the poor condition was justified, that the works the Council required were considered excessive and that the time frame to carry out the works was insufficient.
Ahead of the court hearing as part of the formal appeal process, the owners formally withdrew two grounds. The appeal sought extra time for the works and asked for the renovations to start in February 2025.
On 20 December last year, Boston Magistrates Court found the Council were fully justified in taking the action, however it accepted the owner should be granted more time to comply. The court upheld the requirements to improve and repair the building, with an extended deadline for the works to be carried out until September 2025.
Cllr John Baxter, Portfolio Holder for Building Control, Property and Strategic Planning at Boston Borough Council, said: “The former Post Office is a prominent, historic building which is important for the town. Boston Borough Council acted upon the complaints we received which resulted in the legal notice served on the owners.
“The court found in our favour and has granted the notice be upheld. The owners now have to start work on the necessary renovations to repair this significant building and bring it back to an acceptable condition.
“The Council recognises how important buildings such as the former Post Office are to people and to the town’s heritage. It is therefore important that this building is renovated and within an acceptable time frame.”
Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I am pleased the court has supported the Council’s response and recognised the legal notice instructing the owners to carry out these essential works should be upheld.
“The longer time goes on, the more the building will fall into further disrepair.
“It is vitally important that work starts as soon as possible to ensure this listed building is preserved as part of the heritage of this historic town.”
Picture: The former Post Office. Credit: Google maps
