COVE'S former post office building could become a residential property if an application for change of use to Argyll and Bute Council is approved.

Applicant Margaret Shutt, who retired as Cove's postmistress in December 2014, has asked Argyll and Bute Council to approve her plans to change the building's designation in preparation for the sale of the property.

Mrs Shutt's application states that the building, at Birchwood on Shore Road, has been empty for three years.

Following Mrs Shutt's retirement after 27 years as Cove's postmistress, post office facilities in the area were moved to the village store at nearby Clifton Place – but that facility was, in turn, withdrawn last month.

The closure of the Cove facility, on August 3, means that the nearest alternative post office to Cove is in Kilcreggan - a service which has also been under threat.

A spokesman for the Post Office told the Advertiser: "We would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Cove Post Office.

“We continue to look for a solution which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community and are committed to maintaining services in the area.

“Any customers wishing to access Post Office services may do so from any convenient Post Office branch, including Kilcreggan Post Office, located at Shore Road, Kilcreggan, Helensburgh, G84 0HG.”

No decision on Mrs Shutt's application has yet been made by the council. To view her application, and associated papers, search the council's website using the reference 17/02232/PP.