Northolt Post Office Scheme Approved by Single Vote
Permission given for development which includes self-storage facility
CGI of plans for the Northolt Post Office site. Picture: Matthew Allchurch Architects
August 20, 2026
The redevelopment of Northolt Post Office was approved this Wednesday after a close and at times finely balanced planning committee meeting, where councillors weighed long-standing local objections against the benefits of a modernised Post Office and new commercial space. The decision was made on 19 August at a meeting chaired by Councillor Dee Martin, with the application passing by five votes to four.
The scheme proposes the demolition of the existing Post Office and former sorting office on Mandeville Road and the construction of a new building rising to five storeys at its highest point, stepping down to four and then two storeys towards neighbouring homes. The redevelopment will expand the site’s floorspace from 1,210.5 sqm to 7,258 sqm, with the main element being a 500-unit Access Self Storage facility. A new Post Office will be incorporated into the ground floor, alongside 357 sqm of commercial and retail space.
Ahead of the meeting, the proposal had attracted significant public interest. The initial consultation drew 99 objections and just two letters of support. Many residents argued that a self-storage facility was inappropriate for the heart of Northolt and should be located on an industrial estate. Others felt the scheme represented a missed opportunity to revitalise the town centre with new shops, a café and affordable housing. Local ward councillor Chris Summers objected on the grounds that the development would worsen congestion on Mandeville Road and that a storage facility would be better placed closer to the A40 junction.
A re-consultation on amended plans brought a further 15 objections, with concerns focusing on the visual scale of a five-storey building, traffic impacts and the preference for a residential-led scheme in line with the site’s draft allocation in Ealing’s emerging Local Plan. Planning officers noted that the draft plan is not yet adopted and carries limited weight, and that ownership constraints, market conditions and viability issues would restrict residential development in the near term.
To address residents’ concerns, the applicant submitted revisions in late 2025 and again in April 2026. These included replacing ground-floor offices with active retail and café frontage, removing all upper-floor windows facing nearby gardens to protect privacy, and redesigning the front service road to operate one-way with an 11-space “Stop & Shop Plus” parking area. The developer also agreed to Section 106 contributions totalling £430,470, including funding for off-site affordable workspace, air quality measures, employment and training programmes, two apprenticeships and three work placements.
During the committee meeting, Zena Masani, chair of the Northolt Residents’ Association, joined remotely to set out the group’s objections. She argued that the building remained too tall and too massive for its surroundings. Speaking in favour of the scheme, agent John Dingle highlighted Access Storage’s record of operating similar facilities in residential areas without adverse impact.
Northolt Post Office. Picture: Google Streetview
Committee members were divided. Councillor Andrew Bailey, who represents Northolt Mandeville ward, said he shared residents’ concerns, particularly regarding height. Councillor Miriam Rice described it as unfortunate that the scheme did not meet the requirements of the Local Plan. Councillor Anthony Kelly took a different view, saying that the inclusion of a modern Post Office would be a significant benefit to residents and that he was minded to support the application. Liberal Democrat councillor Gary Busuttil said he had heard nothing during the meeting that would persuade him to vote against.
With opinions split, the vote was close. The application was approved by five votes to four, allowing the redevelopment to proceed. The Post Office will close temporarily during construction but will reopen in an expanded form once the new building is complete.
The decision marks a significant moment for Northolt, concluding a lengthy and often contentious planning process. For supporters, the scheme promises investment, new services and a modernised Post Office. For opponents, it remains a development they believe is out of scale with the town centre.
Written with contributions from Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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