A previously closed East Cleveland post office could be converted into flats after planning permission was successfully sought.

Recent plans submitted by RJJR Properties envisage converting the former Lingdale Post Office, in the High Street, along with a first floor maisonette into three apartments.

A planning officer’s report described the building as being at the end of a terrace on a street with a mixture of residential and commercial properties on it.

Read more: Appeal to build 24 'luxury' holiday lodges at Beamish refused

It said the loss of the commercial use of the building was not considered to pose any appreciable effect upon the needs of the local community, with a convenience store being located four doors down.

Referring to the impact of neighbour amenity, it said: “The proposal would not pose any significant impacts upon any neighbouring occupiers. 

“The provision of the flats should be subject to the conditions requested to control impacts during construction and also between the properties for noise attenuation.”

There were also no issues in terms of highway safety.

FLASH SALE: £5 for 5 months on every new Premium Plus subscription until October 18

The scale and design was also deemed acceptable and the proposals would “respect the character of the site and surroundings”, the report said in recently  planning permission.

When the former post office branch in the village closed in 2019, the Post Office said the decision was part of an ongoing modernisation  and it proposed moving the facility into a local chemist in a bid to “safeguard sustainable services”.

But local councillor Steve Kay said this never happened and bemoaned the fact that “such a large village has such few facilities”.

Cllr Kay also said he thought the old building which now has planning may have recently been sold.