Maldon town councillors have proposed to reject plans to turn a former estate agents on the High Street into new apartments.

This is the fourth time an application to transform the Grade II listed building, which was previously an office for estate agents Bairstow Eves, has been rejected by the town council's planning committee since January of this year.

Town councillors recommended refusal of the plans on the basis of overdevelopment after raising concerns about the number of flats proposed for the building, at 20 High Street.

Councillor Andrew Lay said: "I'm worried about monetising every square metre of the High Street without thinking of the broader picture - it looks like overdevelopment with people crammed in."

The plans involve creating a work unit and one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of the building and two one-bedroom flats on the first floor.

The proposal does not include any parking for the building.

Members also raised concerns about the loss of retail space caused by adding an apartment to the ground floor.

Councillor Mark Heard, chairman of the district council, said: "What we're seeing is retail outlets being reduced and reduced and reduced."

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He continued: "The whole point of the High Street is to have these independent quirky shops, and what's happening is the erosion of this retail space but, more importantly, the quality of life of the people living in these cramped conditions with no parking."

But Councillor Michael Pearlman warned members against leaving the building empty - particularly as it occupies a prime position at the top of the High Street.

He said: "Surely it would be better to give the building some care and bring it back to life, rather than have it as another empty shop on the High Street."

He added: "I hope [the applicant] comes back and makes the ground floor all retail."

Councillor Heard said: "We've had 18 months of tough business life and when businesses come to Maldon we want to offer them space and not a postage stamp."

Councillor David Ogg, the town mayor, proposed to reject the plans - this was seconded by Councillor Shaughnessy and voted through by members.

Maldon District Council will have the final say.