Planning applications relating to Salero Lounge in Maldon High Street were withdrawn because there was insufficient time for the council to consider them, Nub News reports.

Salero Lounge was set to open in Maldon's old Post Office on September 27. However, the opening was delayed, and two planning applications were withdrawn days before the council was due to consider them.

Owners Loungers PLC told Nub News they had ensured the opening would be "well received", following extensive dialogue with local planners, conservation officers and residents. However, the applications were recommended for refusal by Maldon Town Council in August.

Loungers says the delayed opening was partly down to planners not having "sufficient time" to consider their applications, causing them to be withdrawn.

The restaurant had been due to open on September 27. Other Loungers venues are shown for illustration. (Credit: Loungers PLC)

A spokesperson told Nub News: "The planning applications, which relate only to our installation of plant and condenser units and not the use of the property, had been in for some time and various items of supporting information were added to the application through the process.

"Unfortunately, the planners did not feel that they had sufficient time to consider all the information submitted with the application, prior to the September Planning Committee Meeting.

"In the circumstances, we considered the best course of action was to withdraw and resubmit the applications."

However, a spokesperson for Maldon District Council told Nub News there were four applications in total, and Loungers failed to provide a Noise Impact Assessment in time.

They said: "The Council received four applications associated with 43-45 High Street, including Listed Building and Advert consents.

"It did not receive the Noise Impact Assessment for the condenser units' planning application, which had been requested to be provided by Environmental Health, until two weeks before the September Central Area Planning Committee. This was not enough time to fully evaluate the assessment and ensure residential amenity could be protected."

Renovation works have been ongoing in the listed building since August. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Works are also being carried out to repair water damage in the roof of the listed building, which was previously said to be the reason for the delayed opening. Loungers says it will confirm a new opening date for the site "in due course".

The company says it will continue "a positive dialogue" with the planners and hopes to receive a decision soon. It intends to invest £1 million into the High Street and create 35 new jobs in Maldon.

Loungers has now resubmitted its applications, which have been validated for consultation by Maldon District Council.

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