Plans to build extra homes on top of Poundstretcher on Maldon High Street have been met with objection from town councillors - for the fifth time since 2018.

Sparkstone Group, the developer, was granted permission in October 2019 to create five new flats in the town centre building, at 67 Maldon High Street, after three rejected applications for similar plans - reducing the development's size from the nine homes initially proposed in 2018 to five.

The developer has since submitted a revised application for extra homes and more green space by proposing three one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments over the first and second floors of the building, which houses the popular discount store on its ground floor.

But Maldon Town Council, who rejected the subsequently approved plans in 2019, has recommended the plans for refusal for similar reasons used by members the previous four times - including concerns over amenity space, quality of life of the occupiers of the proposed homes and access to the site for services and delivery.

In a planning committee meeting last night (Monday, 7 March), Councillor Christopher Swain told members: "I worry about parking and big lorries driving in to deliver supplies to Poundstretcher - it's too cramped and too risky."

Councillor Andrew Lay said: "The mixed use of a retail and residential space means there's going to be parking issues all the time."

He added: "I don't think it works at all."

Eight new parking spaces - one for each home - are proposed for the development, in addition to the two existing spaces for retail staff and cycle parking.

Areas that were previously approved for retail storage have been reduced, allowing for a communal garden for residents.

A statement submitted with the application says it is a "more commercially viable proposal for the site".

It says: "At national level, there is a decline in footfall on our high streets and an increase in footfall at out-of-town retail parks.

"Increasing the density of housing within town centres supports the economy of our high streets and public transport networks. Maldon High Street has not escaped this risk of decline."

The first-floor storage area currently used by Poundstretcher would be demolished to make way for the homes and replaced by extending the ground-floor retail unit.

The developer's statement says the plans would "make the retail unit more efficient in operation as it will be entirely at ground floor level".

It adds: "The intention is to create a modern intervention which takes its place in the architectural chronology of the town."

The homes are all listed as market housing and would be accessed by Old Mill Close - a pedestrian side street off the main high street.

The amenity space proposed for the homes ranges from 5.7 square metres to 14 square metres, which Councillor David Ogg, the mayor, called "insufficient".

Councillor Swain said the garden would not be "a pleasant amenity space if it's shared for eight flats".

Proposing to recommend refusal of the development, Councillor Ogg added: "You can't get a lorry in there to deliver and there's cramped amenity space, so I think we should kick it out."

This was seconded by Councillor Jhual Hafiz and voted through unanimously by members.

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.

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