Shopkeeper Satish Karia is hoping Fenland planners agree to the new shop front he’s installed after ram raiders wrecked his Chatteris post office.

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)

Mr Karia installed a new shop front following the raid in April but is now seeking retrospective planning consent from Fenland District Council.

He told planners: “Due to a ram raid the shop front has been replaced as an urgent requirement to secure the property and retail stock.

“Whilst replacing the shop front, the opportunity was taken to relocate the access door and widen it to allow disabled access and make the door automatic”.

He’s accompanied his application with photos of what the post office looked before the raid, photos of the raid itself, and what it looks like today.

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)

Following the raid townsfolk set up a GoFundMe page to help Mr Satish and his family recover from the extensive damage caused to his premises.

Police were called at around 4.10am on April 26 to the post office to find offenders had attempted to remove an ATM machine from the front of the building but were unsuccessful and fled the scene

Fortunately they left empty handed, however caused substantial damage to the front of the building.

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before)Chatteris Post Office whose owner is looking for retrospective planning consent for new shop front following ram raid in April. (before) (Image: Archant)