Maldon District Council (MDC) has deferred its decision on a proposal to renovate and alter one of Maldon's oldest homes until a site visit has been completed.

Councillor Chrisy Morris proposed to delay the decision, during a meeting of MDC's Central Area Planning Committee last night (Wednesday, 28 July), after the committee raised concerns about the works impacting the historic value of the house.

Councillor Morris said: "I was hoping that some of the debate might help me make a decision, but it's actually just made me more certain that we need a site visit."

Councillor Kevin Lagan said: "This is a really complex decision-making process because it's such an emotive building - it's an incredibly beautiful part of the town."

Historical research this year discovered the first owner of the house, at 4 Silver Street, to be a man named Josua - it is thought he lived in the house in the fifteenth century. The street is one of the most historic parts of the Maldon Conservation Area.

A representative of neighbours in Silver Street, Cromwell Hill and Beeleigh Road raised concerns about the proposed alterations.

She said: "These proposals pick and choose different parts of the property's history according to neatness and symmetry."

She added: "We are on the verge of losing the integrity of a heritage building in one of the last street scenes unchanged for over 50 years."

The proposed restorations include the demolition of an early twentieth-century lean-to and the replacement of a late twentieth-century conservatory with a canopy.

The works also include the installation of replacement windows which are more historically appropriate, the addition of a second staircase, new limecrete flooring and a ventilation system.

Historic England, MDC's conservation officer and the Maldon Society all support the application.

Case officer Louise Staplehurst said: "Overall, the proposal is supported by both Historic England and the council's conservation officer as being an exemplary proposal for this listed building, being comprehensive and sensitive in its approach to the proposed restoration works."

She added: "The proposal would also not harm the character or appearance of the site or surrounding conservation area, nor will it harm the setting of the listed building."

David Smye, representing the Maldon Society, said: "The extensive scope of the remedial works and the renovation works is a credit to the owner - he's retained notable expertise in the exploration of the building."

Councillor Morris said: "There seems to be a lot of positive stuff being said about this, but also we can't ignore the amount of letters of objection."

Six councillors voted in favour of Councillor Morris' proposal, which was seconded by Councillor Flo Shaughnessy, to defer the decision until a site visit has been completed - one voted against and two abstained.