A retailer of tools and building materials is set to open a new branch on the former Quest Motors site in Maldon.

Toolstation, which has more than 500 branches in the UK, has secured a unit on Wycke Hill Business Park as part of the major redevelopment of the site previously used by Quest Motors, which closed its Maldon branch in May after trading in the town for almost a century.

Maldon Town Council's planning committee last night (Monday, 24 January) considered a request from Toolstation to add a small mezzanine to the unit to provide additional floor area for storage purposes.

The mezzanine would not be accessible to the public or used as a sales area.

Councillor Mark Heard, chairman of the district council, said: "It's going to make the building more effective by giving it more floor space."

Councillor Martin Harvey, chairman of the planning committee, added: "If anything, it will reduce traffic coming in because they will have more space to store things."

Praising the plans, Councillor Harvey said he was "pleased" to see Toolstation is opening a branch in the town.

The site, which is being developed by Barkby Real Estate, will also see a new autocentre with vehicle repair, MOT testing, a showroom and a drive-through Costa coming to the town.

Although the town council's planning committee recommended Toolstation's bid for a mezzanine on the site for approval, the district council will make the final decision.