Internal and external works are set to be carried out on one of Maldon's oldest homes, after councillors finally approved the plans following a number of revisions.

The central area planning committee at Maldon District Council approved the proposal to restore and alter the house at 4 Silver Street, a Grade II* listed building, last night (Wednesday, 16 December), on the basis that their previous concerns had been addressed.

Proposing to accept the plans, Councillor Mark Heard said: "I'm not sure why we're sitting here discussing this actually, although I understand it's through public concern that it's come here."

He continued: "I'm very impressed indeed by the plans and I really like what is proposed - probably the best plans I've seen, actually."

Councillor Michael Edwards added: "This property needs renovation urgently to stop it deteriorating any further."

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.

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

Mr Bresler 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".

The design and access statement for the revised plans said: "The aim of the proposed work to 4 Silver Street is to improve its appearance by removing some of the 20th century additions to the exterior of the building, improve its utility by reorganising internal spaces and improve its thermal performance to reduce carbon footprint.

"The exterior proposals aim to improve the visual contribution the property makes to its surrounding by sympathetically repairing older features of the building and mitigating some of the 20th century impact to the property's setting by removing the conservatory, replacing the modern fenestration with heritage style windows."

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 cited concerns about the extent of proposed alterations to the building.

Miss Woods, who spoke in objection to the plans at last night's meeting, said: "If approved, this application will set a precedent for other listed property owners to apply for aggressive alterations and development on their buildings in the heart of this heritage town."

But members praised Mr Bresler for revising his initial plans, with Councillor Christopher Swain saying: "I think the major difficulties have been dealt with in this new proposal."

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) also published a statement ahead of last night's meeting urging 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.

The Maldon Society, Historic England, planning officers and the conservation officer at the district council had all recommended the application for approval.

Councillor Heard's proposal to accept the plans was seconded by

Councillor Carlie Mayes and voted through with six councillors for and one, Councillor Bruce Heubner, against.