An application to remove a round pier on a 1930's Maldon High Street wall was turned down by district councillors last night (Wednesday, 24 February).

The wall, to the east of the Waffle Bar, became the subject of a planning committee debate after there was disagreement over whether the applicants should be allowed to take the pier down. The round pier or buttress concerned is not the one at the front of the wall (shown in the picture), but one towards the rear of the wall that was damaged during other building work at the back of the property.

Members of Maldon District's Council's Central Area Planning Committee heard that the application was a 'listed building application', rather than a planning application, as the Waffle Bar occupies a Grade II listed medieval building and the wall falls within the 'curtilage (boundary) of the site'.

The council's planning officers recommended approval of the application to take the damaged pier of the wall down. In a written report to councillors, the Conservation Officer said: "The removal of this pier will not, in my judgement, harm the character of the Conservation Area or the setting of the listed building. I raise no objection to the approval of this application, subject to the recommended condition."

The condition suggested would have required the applicant to make good any damage to other bricks in the wall by replacing them.

However, The Maldon Society raised a written objection and Maldon Town Council recommended refusal.

Speaking at the meeting, David Smythe, representing The Maldon Society, said: "The remaining piers are an example of a very attractive style adding to the eclectic mix of the area."

Mr Smythe also said that the society did not feel that a lack of maintenance of the wall should be used as a reason to take it down and questioned the stability of the wall if the pier should be removed.

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The committee heard that other piers have already been removed at the rear of the wall without permission.

Councillor Stephen Nunn said: "As far as I can see it's a unique part of built heritage in the Conservation Area."

The committee voted to refuse permission to remove the pier, with eight voting against approval, one for and one abstention. The recorded reason concerned the historic value of the wall in its setting.