Plans to convert an office in a Victorian building in Burnham into a flat have been turned down by Maldon District Council.

Kevin Bray had hoped to turn the office on the first floor of the late-Victorian building at 38 Burnham High Street into a one-bedroom flat with a study or home working area.

He was seeking change of use from an office to a mixed use office and flat through prior approval, which aims to confirm that specified parts of a development are acceptable before work commences.

The plans included removing the building's internal staircase and adding a disabled toilet in its place, alongside the addition of new fire detection systems, a balcony and an external metal staircase.

There would have been no change to the front facade facing onto the high street.

The application says the proposal is "mixed usage bringing both accommodation and 'disabled-friendly' office space to central Burnham-on-Crouch".

But, refusing the application, planning officers at the district council said "the previous condition removes permitted development rights for a change of use at the site".

The condition states the premises must be used for the mixed use of tour operator and travel agency and for "no other purpose".

advertisement

Officers added that "insufficient information" had been provided to assess the possible noise impact and flood risk for future residents of the proposed flat.