A FAULTY post box in Launceston is set to be removed and replaced with an upgrade following the approval of an application by Cornwall Council.

For a number of weeks residents of the Stourscombe estate in Launceston have been forced to look elsewhere when trying to send letters after the local post box, based on Snowdrop Crescent, was boarded up and marked as ‘permanently out of use’.

Following the post box’s fall into disuse, the Royal Mail Group has now applied to Cornwall Council for the installation of a replacement unit.

In contact with Cornwall Council, Livemore, the organisation instructed on behalf of Royal Mail Group, stated that it hopes to remove and replace the pillar box, installing a pedestal lamp box.

The new box is an alternative to the pillar box style which is commonly used in rural areas or low-volume locations, often mounted on their own dedicated, short steel short steel pole.

A spokesperson from the organisation said: “Royal Mail are proposing to remove the existing pillar box and install a replacement pedestal lamp box at the above address as the existing box is damaged beyond repair.

“The land appears to be publicly owned and doesn’t appear to be within a conservation area.”

Following the application made on February 12, Cornwall Council approved the plans four days later.

A spokesperson for the Local Planning Authority said: “The Local Planning Authority (LPA) has no comments to make in respect of the proposed works.”

As a result of the plan approval, Livemore has expressed that it hopes to complete the works within the ‘near future’.

A spokesperson for Livemore said: “We aim to instruct the works within the near future. Please be advised that Highways will be contacted by Royal Mail Engineering Contractors prior to undertaking any work.”