OBJECTIONS have been raised to plans to create a beauty clinic and tearoom at a village pub.

The Mitre in Wickham Bishops has been closed since the previous tenants decided to leave last year.

Now plans have been submitted to Maldon District Council by Claire Mead to change the use of the old beer store at the rear of the building into a beauty clinic and continue to use the rest of the building as a tearoom.

Wickham Bishops Parish Council has supported the plans for the change of use saying it would “retain a social opportunity for the community.”

But Paul Pearse, Environmental Health Technician for Maldon District Council, called for more information on the application as there were concerns over “intensification” of the site and the tearoom operational hours.

His comment read: “While we are aware that beauty salons do operate into the evening and at weekends this would usually be in a more urban environment.

“The hours of operation is to 23.59 hours every day including bank holidays.

"While a public house may have similar operating hours this is very unusual for a tea room. We need to be clear about this."

Applicant Claire Mead has rejected concerns about the opening hours however and insists the current set up won’t be altered.

She said: “The opening hours haven’t and won’t change.

“Everything will be staying the same and we will be keeping the alcohol licence – we don’t want to take that away.

"The community will still have a nice place to come to eat, drink and consume alcohol and if they want to come to the beauty salon they can.

“Hopefully my business will help to support the tearoom and make it viable.”

Maldon District Council is due to decide on the application by the end of the month.