A former taxi office could become high street flats in a proposed development.

Plans have been proposed to redevelop the former Banyards Taxi office in High Street, Maldon, into five one-bedroom flats.

The proposal would see an outbuilding behind the property demolished to create a two-storey extension for the flats, with retail and office space occupying the ground floor.

A previous application for the site was refused by Maldon District Council.

Under the current plan there will only be two parking spaces at the site.

One resident objected strongly to the plans, saying: “It is not acceptable to build five flats with parking for just two cars.

“The residents’ parking in North Street is already at saturation point.

“If the new residents park in the old gasworks car park then it will reduce valuable shoppers’ spaces.”

Peter Le Grys, who represents the developers, said his client had “sought to resolve the previous concerns of the council in a pragmatic and responsible way”.

Maldon District Council had raised issues over a taxi office located in the building and a rear entrance door backing on to North Street.

Mr Le Grys said in response: “In respect of the potential noise from the taxi office reception, I am sure you will be aware that the previous proposals were significantly greater in extent than the current scheme, which limits the area to one ground floor room.

“The current scheme would not have been contrary to the inspector’s findings, as he only suggested that the earlier proposal had the ‘potential’ to affect the amenities of the occupiers of the development.”

He added: “The council were clearly not aware of the cessation of the use of the premises as a taxi depot.”