Parcel delivery firm ordered to remove village locker

A rapidly-growing parcel delivery company has been ordered to remove one of its lockers from a conservation village in the Scottish Borders.

InPost UK has built up a network of more than 12,000 of the 24-hour devices in towns and villages across the country.

However, the locker, with built-in CCTV and sensor-activated lighting, has been met with opposition from community leaders in the village of Denholm - between Jedburgh and Hawick.

Planners have now ordered InPost UK to remove it from the site next to the village green as it "is not considered justifiable in this prominent conservation area location". The company - which can lodge an appeal - said it was unable to comment.

Assistant planning officer Alla Hassan said: "The proposed development is considered to be a conspicuous and incongruous feature in the streetscene which does not preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area."

Since InPost was launched in the UK in 2013, it has expanded rapidly to almost every corner of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It now boasts a network of more than 700 retailers using its postal service, with businesses invited to provide locations for the 24-hour delivery and collection lockers in a bid to attract greater footfall to their premises.

One of its white and yellow vinyl wrapped metal lockers was placed outside the Old Bakery without planning permission last year.

A retrospective application was submitted - attracting objections from Denholm community council and six other villagers.

There were also representations in favour of the plans arguing it would provide a useful service and save residents travelling further afield.

They described it as "modest in scale" and not at the "most sensitive heritage core" of the village.

In its submission to the council InPost said its lockers delivered "multiple direct benefits for local communities, businesses, economies, and the environment".

It added they reduced the environmental impact of to-door deliveries and created extra opportunities for local businesses.

However, Scottish Borders Council has now refused permission - with the company being ordered to remove the locker.

Planners added: "While the public benefit of the facility to the local community is acknowledged, the parcel locker by virtue of its positioning and materials represents an incongruous feature within an otherwise simple and traditional streetscape, and is therefore harmful to the character and appearance of the conservation area."