A SCHEME that may allow a post office to keep going in Cleobury Mortimer, has received the thumbs down from planning officers because of its impact on adjoining properties in a conservation area.

The proposed alterations include an extension to provide extra retail space at the back of the listed Brunswick House on the High Street. Planners at South Shropshire District Council said the proposal would "enhance the likelihood of the Post Office being retained in the town".

But, they added: "The impact on the adjoining property, due to the scale and over dominance on the rear elevation, would impact on the residential amenity and the character of the conservation area to an unacceptable degree."

Last November the district council's development control committee turned down a similar scheme for the property because of its poor design, scale and proportion and the use of "inappropriate building materials".

In their report on the latest application, the planners said the vitality and viability of Cleobury's town centre is important. They said: "Particular attention is paid in respect of this matter to the retention of key facilities such as the Post Office and the major convenience stores in town."

They said the scheme would "improve the viability of the property" but they felt the work on the rear elevation was "unacceptable and cannot be supported". It would also cut natural daylight to adjoining properties.

The development control committee was meeting as the Advertiser went to press to consider the planning officials' recommendation to refuse permission.