A bid from a laboratory equipment supplier to expand in Maldon, following an increase in demand due to Covid, has been turned down over parking concerns.

Despite concluding that Eppendorf Cryotech's bid to expand its operations at Quayside Industrial Estate in Heybridge "would not cause harm" to residents or the area, officers at Maldon District Council raised concerns over a lack of off-street parking spaces.

The company, which develops and sells instruments, consumables and services for liquid, sample and cell handling in laboratories worldwide, had hoped to erect a temporary building to the east of its site to store materials used to produce ultra-low freezers.

The plans also included the construction of a temporary tent to be used as a reception for the delivery of goods.

The building and tent would have remained in place for five years.

A statement submitted with the plans says the business is experiencing an "increase in demand due to Covid".

It says: "The proposal is an important development to support a local business in expanding their operations, which in turn will generate economic growth.

"The business is currently at full capacity and requires additional storage space to meet their increase in demand."

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The statement adds that short-term jobs would be created through the construction of the temporary building and tent, while "there may be a creation of additional jobs" as a result of the business expanding.

The company's plans to expand its operations were recommended for approval by Maldon Town Council in December.

But district council officers said the development would not comply with parking standards as it proposes additional floorspace - requiring extra parking spaces - while a number of existing parking spaces on the site would be lost as a result of the temporary building and tent.

They said there would be 68 parking spaces on the site in total if the development went ahead, which falls below the minimum of 85 spaces that would be required "to comply with the adopted parking standards".

They said: "The proposal would not make adequate provision for off-street parking spaces to comply with the adopted vehicle parking standards and is recommended for refusal on this basis."