A FORMER post office could be turned into a hairdressers’ salon with a self-contained apartment above, if plans are approved later this month.

Leemans Hill Post Office in Bury Road closed last year when owner Nigel Coakley decided to sell up after 15 years of running the business.

He blamed the closure on the fall in the number of people using post offices.

Tottington councillor Greg Keeley said he would use the post office branch before it closed around a year ago.

He said: “I remember going there to post a letter one day and my usual post office wasn’t there anymore.”

Speaking to the Bury Times when he announced the closure, Mr Coakley said the building would be incorporated into the adjoining house which he lives in.

A notification for prior approval was submitted to Bury Council in April 2019 to change the use of the building from retail to a dwellinghouse.

The local authority ruled that prior approval was not required in June.

But now the building could be turned into a salon and a self-contained flat.

A planning application has been submitted to the council by Andrew Nolan.

It seeks permission for a change of use from a post office with living accommodation to a hairdressers’ salon on the ground floor and a self-contained dwelling leading up to the first floor with access at the rear.

The applicant also wants to install a new first floor window to the side.

The ground floor shop was originally an end of terrace two-storey stone and slate dwelling and is surrounded by terraced and semi-detached houses.

According to the application, the building currently houses a three-bedroom dwelling, but this would be converted into a two-bedroom dwelling instead.

Councillors representing the ward said they have not seen any objections to the application and described the proposal as “not contentious”.

However, Cllr Keeley could not comment on the plans because he is a member of the planning committee which could end up deciding the outcome of the application.

Only one public objection has been received online by Bury Council so far.

Highways engineers have not objected to the planning application.

The designs have been drawn up by planning agent Neil Butterworth.

Mr Butterworth has been contacted for comment.

The planning application, reference number 65645, can be viewed online by visiting planning.bury.gov.uk/online-applications/.

Planning officers are due to make a decision by the end of August.