‘Garish’ parcel locker in Peebles set for removal
An “unattractive and garish” parcel locker in Peebles is facing removal after a retrospective planning application was rejected.
London-based InPost UK has now submitted an application for the locker beside the Post Office store at 25 Rosetta Road.
But it was originally installed at the location without prior approval from Scottish Borders Council.
An InPost Locker is a 24/7, self-service parcel locker for convenient online shopping, allowing you to send, collect, and return parcels at your own schedule, using a QR code or app for access.
Peebles Civic Society objected to the application on several grounds.
Its secretary, Anthony Newton, stated: “This is an unattractive and garish unit that is not appropriate for a conservation area and has been placed in front of a shop window.
“The unit is illuminated, which adds to its impact on the conservation area and on neighbouring properties.
“There appears to have been no consideration of the parking implications for delivery vans and customers’ vehicles on a road that already has issues with parking and the volume of traffic.”
That objection was echoed by Peebles Community Council.
In his report refusing planning permission, Ranald Dods, SBC planning officer, says: “The structure, given its location, design and appearance, represents an incongruous feature within the conservation area which does not respect the character of the surrounding area.”
Another retrospective bid for an InPost Locker sited at The Auld Bakery at Westside in Denholm, installed without prior planning approval, was recently refused by SBC after it was labelled an “eyesore” by some residents.
It was deemed to be “harmful to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area” by council planners.
The locker, which has now been removed by the company, divided opinion among villagers with some offering their support but with a number of objections too.
Nationally, some local communities have objected to the placement of large, brightly coloured yellow and white InPost lockers, describing them as “incongruous features” that ruin the appearance of residential areas and conservation zones.