A PLANNING application has been submitted by Royal Mail for a new delivery office on Churchfields Industrial Estate. 

It proposes to demolish and replace the former MOT testing station with an improved building which will be constructed to a maximum height of 7.1m - similar to surrounding buildings.

In its planning statement, Royal Mail said: "The new Salisbury Delivery Office is essential to enable Royal Mail to maintain the most efficient and effective postal service for the Salisbury area."

The plans have gained the support of city councillors. The planning committee met on Monday and agreed to raise no objections.

The rectangular site is surrounded by a mixture of light industrial units and was formerly used by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as a testing station. It has most recently been used as a car park by Royal Mail.

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The main visitor entrance will be on the west.

Visitor and staff parking will be segregated from operational traffic entering the secure service yard by a different entrance. Pedestrian access is via Brunel Road. 

The proposal for the delivery office is to accommodate internal mail sorting facilities and includes a service yard, plus staff and visitor parking. Twenty-two EVC points are included and a new cycle storage will also be added. 

Ecological considerations are included in the proposal with existing coniferous woodland to the east of the site being mostly retained and supplemented with broadleaf species. There will also be the placement of new bird and bat boxes and bug hotels within the landscaped areas.

For more information, see the planning application PL/2023/08490

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