Maldon town councillors are set to vote on plans to transform a former estate agents on Maldon High Street into three new apartments.

The proposal to extend and transform the Grade II listed building, at 20 High Street, will be put before members of the town council's planning committee tonight (Monday 1 November).

The applicant, Gary Tann, is hoping to create a work unit on the ground floor of the building and a one-bedroom ground floor apartment of the former Bairstow Eves building.

He also wants to add two one-bedroom first floor apartments to the rear of the building, which would involve an extension.

The proposal does not include any parking for the building.

The design and access statement for the application, submitted by 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."

The statement also said that the building's shop front, 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.

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the end of 2020, four separate applications have been submitted to transform the building, which were all subsequently withdrawn.

The town council will either vote to recommend approval or refusal of the application tonight.

The district council will then make the final decision.