A post office that closed last year could be incorporated into a home if a planning application to a council is given the green light. 

Ingham Post Office closed in October last year due to 'unforeseen circumstances' with residents told their nearest branch would now be Lake Avenue Post Office in Bury St Edmunds.

Now, owner Christine Knight has submitted a prior approval application to West Suffolk Council proposing a change of use of the building, situated in The Street, from commercial to residential.

In an application form published by the council earlier this month, Ms Knight said there would be "no development" and they were just asking for permission to change the use of the existing building.

"We ran the post office and shop since 2019 but due to the economic crisis, we could no longer maintain the service, we got into financial difficulties trying to keep the shop open," she wrote.

"We closed the shop in October and do not wish to change it into another business, but this is also our home which we would very much like to stay in.

"Also we need to arrange a new mortgage in September and would find it very difficult to apply for a commercial mortgage at this stage, especially now that the shop is no longer in use." 

In a proposal drawing, the shop area would become the living room of the home. 

The building elevations would remain the same. 

So far, one objection has been lodged against the plan which reads: "This is another case for changing a well needed facility into a house.

"There are plenty of other houses, so why does a public service post office have to be lost for someone's home." 

The prior approval application is with West Suffolk Council for consideration.