A BID for the last Thames sailing barge ever made to become a tearoom and arts venue in Maldon is expected to be refused.

Topsail Charters wants to turn the historic barge ‘Resourceful’ into a tourist attraction at Cooks Yard.

An initial application for the plan was withdrawn in December ahead of a planning meeting where councillors were expected to refuse the plans.

The fresh application has received the backing of Maldon Town Council and many Maldon residents, but has once again been recommended for refusal.

The proposal would see Resourceful moored in Cooks Yard as a floating tearoom for seven days a week between 10am and 7pm. Permission is also being requested to occasionally use the barge as an arts venue between 7pm and 11.30pm.

The application said: “The Resourceful is the first stage of a longer term plan to develop our site at Cooks Yard into an enhanced visitor experience and sustainable income stream for the fleet.

“Customers will feel they are directly contributing to the future survival of our maritime heritage. The Resourceful will make an ideal visitor attraction, open seven days a week and all year round.”

Money made from the tearoom would be used to support Topsail Charters in their work restoring many of Maldon’s other barges.

However, the application has been recommended for refusal by Maldon District Council’s planning officer.

The officer acknowledged the application’s potential to create jobs and promote tourism in the area, but added: “Whilst no objection is raised to the visual impact of the barge, it is considered that the proposed use of the barge as a tearoom and an arts venue at the application site would fail to preserve or enhance the special character of the Maldon Conservation Area.”

The officer’s report also highlighted the development as a potential flood risk that would be “detrimental to the safety of future users of the site”.

A decision will be made on the application at Maldon District Council’s Central Area Planning Committee meeting next Wednesday.