Plans to knock down a former mill in Maldon to build a mixed-use development which would create at least 40 jobs have been submitted to Maldon District Council, following the rejection of similar plans in 2019.

Mr A Wiseman hopes to demolish the former mill on the Hasler's Mill site, on Station Road, to build a four or five-storey twin block of nine two-bedroom apartments and two retail units.

He also wants to convert and restore the granary on the site to create a restaurant and café or shops on the ground floor with separate offices above, and build two two-storey buildings elsewhere on the site - each with two retail or mixed-use units on the ground floor and offices above.

A statement submitted with the application says the development would "bring enormous job opportunities to the area", estimating that at least 40 jobs would be created in the proposed business units on the site which is "largely redundant" at the moment.

It adds: "The council should recognise the significant public benefits attributed to this scheme and the catalyst this development would have in bringing substantial change to this area."

Controversial plans for a similar development of 10 homes and 5 commercial units were refused by the council in May 2019, after officers said it made "no provision for affordable housing" and would "cause harm to the character and appearance of the area" with its "excessive scale".

Officers said: "The proposed development would not provide an adequate quality of life for the occupiers of the proposed flats, as a result of noise and disturbance from existing businesses in the vicinity of the site."

They also noted the site has a "high probability of flooding" as it is in flood zone three, calling the flood risk "unacceptable" as the council could demonstrate a five-year land supply at the time.

55 out of the 57 letters submitted on the development by the public were also objections - many raised concerns that residents of the proposed homes would complain about noise from the nearby Carr's Flour Mill, putting its employees' jobs "at risk".

But the statement for the latest application says: "Since that time, discussions have taken place with the new managing director at Carr's to establish a way forward for both parties, and to resolve an issue concerning movement of vehicles and noise generation along the boundary of Carr's premises which had necessitated use of the applicant's land.

"These discussions are ongoing and it is expected that a mutual agreement will be found through use of other land owned by the applicant."

The new plans do not propose any affordable housing, but the statement says this is no longer required because it does not include more than nine residential units.

It says the revised plans take "an entirely different approach" with "a reduced residential element and greater emphasis on commercial development".

While the site remains in flood zone three, the council can no longer demonstrate a five-year land supply, meaning there is not enough housing land allocated or with planning permission to fulfil five years' worth of needs.

The statement adds "the site is defended from flooding" as the floor levels of the units have been raised, and "detailed work on a sustainable drainage scheme will assist in surface water run-off and potential contamination".

The application follows the council's draft publication of the North Quay Regeneration Development Brief, which sets out an "ambitious framework that seeks to enable intensified employment-led development with opportunities to capitalise on the water frontages both on and off land", alongside the area's proximity to the town centre.

The draft brief adds: "The area has a rich historic and natural environment that needs to be preserved and enhanced, but has opportunities for significant improvements to sustainable connectivity across the site and fixing links between Heybridge, Heybridge Basin and Maldon."

The former Hasler's Mill site is listed as a development opportunity in the draft brief, which says it offers "a key opportunity is the riverside location for a mixed use including a food and drink offer and visitor attractions to support the visitor economy".

The site is allocated for employment uses, but the developer's statement says a mixed-use development should be considered if it includes a "substantive" employment element.

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.

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