A FURTHER stay of execution has been given to Wotton-under-Edge post office. But plans for its future are still hampered by problems.

The post office at the One Stop Shop, Long Street, had been due to close this week while owner Tesco converted the premises into a Tesco Express. Once the new store was open, Tesco claimed there would be no room for the post office.

Since the company's decision to close the post office townspeople have been anxiously waiting for news about alternative premises.

Shopkeeper Nick Wadey, from greengrocer Harvest Store in Long Street, pledged to run a new post office but this was dependent on finding a suitable site and staff.

But a blow was dealt on Tuesday to plans for opening at the former butcher's shop at 16 Long Street when Stroud District Council's development control committee voted to refuse planning permission applied for by the owners of the building.

Lynne Murray and Nick Davies had intended to develop the site and their agreement to let it the shop for a post office would only have been forthcoming if their application had been accepted.

The council refused permission on a number of grounds, many connected with the listed building nature of the site.

A planning department spokesman said: "There were insufficient justifications for the rebuilding of an outbuilding behind the listed building. This is the only remaining historic outbuilding on the site. Its rebuilding would harm the character of the listed building."

The council also objected to the development to form two flats and one dwelling, claiming it would involve substandard vehicular access and not provide adequate amenity space for residents.

Ms Murray told the Gazette: "We have heard that our application in respect of alterations to the property has been refused consent but at this time we have not heard why. After many months of consultation with the planning authority this comes as a shock and disappointment.

"We are especially dismayed, as we had agreed to a host of uneconomic changes to our proposals in order to accelerate negotiations so that we could commence works to accommodate the relocated post office.

"Sadly we are told that the delay to this refusal will almost certainly mean that the town will lose its post office and we fear this cannot be good for the town's community or economy.

"Our proposal has, from the outset, concentrated on the provision of affordable homes and quality retail space to add vibrancy and sustainability to the town in place of a building that has been unwanted and unoccupied for man years prior to our ownership."

Mr Wadey added: "This is a stumbling block but I'm not going to give up yet. I'll be speaking to Nick and Lynne."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We have delayed the conversion date to progress the current application that has been made to take on the post office. We are working towards the post office relocating from the site on April 20, with the store closing on April 23."