Extension plans at former Post Office once managed by 'UK's oldest postmistress'

A former Shropshire post office that is believed to have been run by the country's oldest postmistress could be extended.

Kay White retired in December 2020 at the age of 93 having worked at the Post Office in Claverley, near Bridgnorth, for nearly 80 years.

She started working at the branch when she was 14 and became the postmistress in 1960. She was made an MBE in 2010 for her services to the community.

After she retired the property was put up for sale in 2024, with offers invited in the region of £450,000.

Now a planning application has been submitted for an extension at the rear of the building.

Representing the applicant, Andrea Millner of CORA Design Ltd, said the proposal seeks to provide a high-quality kitchen and dining space that meets modern living needs while responding sensitively to the building’s historic context".

She added that it has been carefully designed to ensure that:

• Development is confined to the rear, avoiding impact on key public views
• The extension is subservient in scale and form
• The cat slide roof reflects local vernacular traditions
• Conservation rooflights reduce visual impact compared to standard roof glazing
• Materials are sympathetic and locally appropriate.

"As such, the proposal results in no harm to the significance of the conservation area," said Ms Millner.

"It preserves, and subtly enhances, the understanding of traditional building evolution.

"In NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework] terms, the proposal would be considered to result in no harm (or at worst negligible less than substantial harm), which is clearly outweighed by the public and private benefits of sustaining viable residential use.

"Overall, the proposal represents a high-quality, policy-compliant development that successfully balances modern living needs with heritage conservation."

The plans can be viewed on Shropshire Council's planning portal (reference number 26/01542/FUL).