Lifeline locker removed from Copperfields store Blundeston

In a quiet corner of north Suffolk, an idyllic village with close links to the Victorian author has found itself at the heart of a bizarre planning brouhaha.

Blundeston sign. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Blundeston is famed for being the birthplace of the character David Copperfield. 

And the installation of a new InPost parcel collection facility on the side of the Copperfields village store had sparked 'great expectations' among village folk.

But, just weeks after Blundeston's much-loved locker was installed, the unit has been ripped out after A SINGLE complaint was made.

Early this week the facility was removed after jobsworth council officials outlawed the "huge community asset".

And the removal has left the sleepy, picturesque village at war...but the sole complainer remains unmasked, even though rumours of their identity are flying around the village.

Hundreds of people have already called for the return of "an essential facility" and a "much-needed asset".

The former InPost parcel locker at Copperfields Blundeston prior to its removal this week. Picture: Submitted (Image: Newsquest) The new, modern delivery service was introduced in the village near Lowestoft in August.

A memorial poster plaque was installed in place of the former InPost parcel locker after it was removed this week. Picture: Copperfields Blundeston (Image: Copperfields Blundeston) One aggrieved fan of the postal service has been made a memorial plaque lamenting the loss.

A memorial poster plaque was installed in place of the former InPost parcel locker after it was removed this week. Picture: Copperfields Blundeston (Image: Copperfields Blundeston)

After Copperfields opened in Blundeston in July last year, it became the first time in more than 50 years that a village shop had taken centre stage in the village.

Copperfields village store in Blundeston. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Catering for villagers, and with shoppers regularly visiting from Somerleyton, Flixton and Lound, Copperfields village store in The Street ihas been busy since opening.

In an effort to increase footfall and bring a new parcel collection facility to the community, store owners Kayley Morgan and Jamie Borrett introduced a new InPost locker in August.

Miss Morgan said: "InPost came out, did all the appropriate checks and made sure it was on our boundary."

The side of Copperfields village store in Blundeston, with the InPost locker no more. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The outdoor locker was installed on the side of the village store, against the side wall facing out to Wickfield Close.

With the nearest locker at Tesco superstore in Guntonabout two miles away, the Copperfields locker proved to be hugely popular with "a lot of the village really pleased to see it," according to the couple.

The Copperfields village store in Blundeston. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Featuring cameras and security,  planning permission is generally not required for InPost lockers.

It comes after the government removed the need for planning permission for click-and-collect lockers in an effort to support businesses.

However, some InPost lockers have been subject to planning enforcement action.

The Copperfields village store in Blundeston. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) When the complaint was lodged over the InPost locker at Blundeston, East Suffolk Council was notified.

And after concerns were raised, the council's planning enforcement team visited the store amid a "possible breach of control" associated with "the installation of a parcel click and collect locker".

In a letter to the shop owners and landlords Castle Homes Lettings - seen by this newspaper - it was deemed the installation of the locker was "unauthorised".

They were told they had five weeks to remove it, after the council said: "The unit is not permitted due to being within two metres of any boundary of the curtilage and failure to submit a prior approval notification application before the installation of the unit."

It led to the locker being put 'out of use' before the 'unauthorised' parcel locker was removed on Wednesday, October 23 by InPost.

Miss Morgan said: "It was a much wanted and needed service - a real asset to the village.

Kayley Morgan at the Copperfields village store in Blundeston, with the petition. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "Prior to removal we had a petition going which received more than 300 names in the short time it was running in store - showing how many people supported and welcomed the service we were trying to provide.

Shopper Gill Chappel signing the petition with Kayley Morgan at the Copperfields village store in Blundeston. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The villagers are up-in-arms about it, and we are doing everything we can to have a new planning application submitted through InPost so the locker can be returned.

Kayley Morgan, with the memorial plaque, and shoppers at the Copperfields village store in Blundeston at the site of the 24/7 former InPost parcel Locker. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"As a new business trying to bring our village everything we can, it’s extremely upsetting that we have to face these hurdles."

Community reaction

Neighbour Emily Sparkes said: "I live next door to it, and it has caused no issues whatsoever - zero inconvenience.

"Instead, it has been a huge asset.

"The owners are trying so hard in the challenging financial situation we're in - I just think people should be supporting it, and the council should help them not obstruct them."

Copperfields village store in Blundeston. Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted) Chantelle Ling, who lives in nearby Hall Lane, said: "It has been really invaluable for a lot of people.

"Having this here has been a lifeline."

Gill Chappel, of Wickfield Close, added: "It is the minority affecting the majority."

One shopper said they were "incensed" about the removal, while another labelled the decision as "stupid".

Jase and Claire Clements, of Lakeside Rise, added: "This was was great for us, and so handy with the nearest locker otherwise at Tesco - a six-mile round trip.

"They have taken away an essential facility and that is really disappointing."