Plans to extend and transform the building of a former estate agents on Maldon High Street will be debated by town councillors tonight (Monday, 6 December).

The plans involve creating a work unit and a one-bedroom flat on the ground floor of the Grade II listed building, which was previously an office for estate agents Bairstow Eves.

The applicant, Gary Tann, also hopes to add two one-bedroom flats to the first floor, which would involve extending the historic building.

Vision Planning, a consultee on the application, said in a planning statement that "the proposal does not result in the complete loss of commercial floorspace".

They added: "The only part of the former frontage workspace that would be lost as a result of this proposal is the area proposed to become the entrance hall for the first floor front flat.

"The remainder of the building was only used occasionally by Bairstow Eves, for meetings, storage and toilets.

"This space is not needed to enable the frontage space to function as a commercial unit, however."

In the design and access statement for the application, architect Annabel Brown said: "The scheme has been carefully designed to limit any loss of historic fabric and to emulate the detailing of the original building, taking special care to preserve and restore the historic timber frame."

She said the shop front of the building, which dates back to the 19th century, will be "upgraded" to "restore it to the traditional character it once had".

Other parts of the building date back to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.

However, the Maldon Society has raised fears about the proposal leading to overdevelopment.

Objecting to the plans, a spokesperson for the Maldon Society said: "The provision of four dwelling units is overdevelopment of the premises and considerably reduces the floor area of retail space within the High Street business area."

They also said the "integrity" of the historic building would be "compromised by the substantial extent of structural alterations" needed to create the new homes.

After Bairstow Eves closed its office on the site, the building was advertised for rent for 18 months but could not find a tenant.

Since the end of 2020, four separate applications have been submitted to transform the building, which were all subsequently withdrawn.

There are no existing parking spaces for the building, and none are proposed as part of the application.

Maldon Town Council's planning committee will vote on the plans tonight.

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.