PLANS for restoration and alteration of one of the oldest homes in Maldon will be debated by district councillors next week.

The planning application to renovate the Grade II* listed house formerly known as 'Chandlers' at 4, Silver Street, has appeared on the agenda for Maldon District Council's Central area Committee on Wednesday, 28 July.

The name of the house has been changed to 'Josua' in the application documents, named after the first owner identified by historical research. It is thought Josua lived in the house in the Fifteenth Century.

New owner Neil Bresler has been working alongside MDC's Conservation Officer, in uncovering the history of the house over the past year.

The Conservation Officer and The Maldon Society have strongly supported the application, but there have also been objections from some residents - and Maldon Town Council voted to recommend refusal of the plans earlier this month as they felt they didn't have enough information to support it at the time.

Alterations to the cellars and the demolition of a twentieth-century lean-to, as well the replacement of several windows, are among the plans that have attracted objections, mostly from other nearby residents.