An organisation which campaigns to protect old buildings at risk has urged Maldon councillors to grant planning permission tonight (Wednesday, 15 December) for works to one of the town's oldest homes.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) said it did not initially comment on a similar application to carry out internal and external works to the house at 4 Silver Street, which is a Grade II* listed building, as members did not think it "raised any issues of notice".

The organisation added: "Unfortunately, given our extremely limited resources, we are generally only able to respond to notifications when these are of concern."

But it has now published a letter in support of the latest plans, after being "surprised to learn that the application had been refused".

Plans for the home were initially turned down by the district council in August, after members raised concerns about proposed alterations to the cellar of the house.

Developer Eleven Cromwell removed these alterations in response, but town councillors recommended refusal of the revised plans in October due to concerns about the two galvanised steel doors proposed for the cellar and the extent of alterations to the home.

Neil Bresler, from Eleven Cromwell, said he subsequently resubmitted the application without the two galvanised steel doors "in the spirit of trying to work the town council, as well as other objectors".

However, the town council's planning committee said last month it "continues to recommend refusal of these applications due to the excessive and unnecessary alterations to the structure of the Grade II* listed building and the resulting visual impact".

The application also received 10 letters of objection from residents, many of whom cite concerns about the extent of the proposed alterations to the building.

One resident said: "These applications raise great alarm and concern from neighbouring properties and anyone owning a listed property in the town that has experienced their own intense scrutiny and restrictions on building work.

"If these applications are approved it will be open season for listed building owners to apply for multiple changes and assume the same support from the conservation department.

"These applications must be refused and a more sympathetic renovation must be called for to protect this and, in turn, ensure protection of other heritage properties in this town."

In a statement published yesterday (Tuesday, 14 December), a spokesperson for SPAB said the organisation "can see no evidence of 'excessive and unnecessary alterations'".

They said: "The repairs appear to us to be an appropriate response to the current condition of the building and previous unsympathetic interventions, and, where new facilities have been introduced, this has been done in a way that respects the character of the building, with the internal volumes and ground plan largely retained."

They continued: "We felt we must write to underline the vital importance of securing a sustainable future for this exceptional Grade II* listed building.

"We understand that the building has suffered from a lack of maintenance for some time which has resulted in damage to the historic fabric. In our experience, it can be very difficult to find new owners for highly listed buildings in need of repair as the cost and complexities involved in achieving their sympathetic repair can be daunting.

"In this instance, the applicant has clearly risen to the challenge, employing a range of respected conservation professionals and seeking extensive pre-application advice."

They added: "We would urge that consent is granted on this occasion in order to ensure a sustainable future for the building."

Historical research earlier this year discovered the first owner of the home 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.

Planning officers at the district council have recommended approval of the application, ahead of it being voted on by the central area planning committee tonight.

The Maldon Society, Historic England and the conservation officer at the district council have also given their support to the plans.