CONTROVERSIAL proposals to refurbish and alter a home in one of the most historic and best-preserved parts of the Maldon conservation area have been refused.

Maldon District Council denied planning permission to refurbish and alter some of the interior and exterior of the historic home at a central area planning committee meeting.

Research over the past year has revealed the earliest parts of the house date from the early 15th century.

The proposed internal works would include replacement of flooring in the cellar, a new heating system to provide a modern gas boiler, rooms to be re-arranged for an additional staircase, and new limecrete flooring throughout the ground floor.

Proposed external works include removal of a car port, gates to be retained and renovated, removal of the rear conservatory to be replaced with a glass and aluminium canopy, and replacement of modern windows with more "sympathetic" windows.

Members of the council's central area planning committee voted to deny planning permission to carry out the works on the Grade II* listed building at 4 Silver Street, on Wednesday, August 25.

A member of the public raised concerns at the committee, and said: “85 per cent of respondents, including neighbours, have objected to what is proposed.

“You need to work very hard to build that level of consensus on a topic.

"Clearly, there is anger and concern.”

He listed residents' reasons for concern, including the appearance of Silver Street being changed, the impact on neighbouring properties including noise, and the preservation of the character of the listed buildings within the surrounding area.

He also added a proposed steel staircase would "stick out like a sore thumb".

Jeanette Stilts, Independent councillor for Maldon South, proposed refusal due to concerns surrounding proposed works to the cellar, contrary to planning officers’ recommendation to approve the proposal.

She said: "The harm being done to the building by going through the cellar I think outweighs the good of the work that will be done to the rest of the building."

A council planning officer said: “It’s considered that the proposal will not result in detrimental harm to the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, parking or amenity space.

“The proposal will also preserve the character and appearance of the site, the conservation area and the listed building.”

The discussion also surrounded work which was said to have already been done to the building.

Mrs Stilts added: “Normally, when an archaeologist does an exploration they do a small section, but we walked into what was a building site and I just wonder why so much has been done before they got planning permission.”

Matt Leigh, the council's chief planning officer, said although he hasn't visited the site, he "wouldn't disagree" some more work might have been undertaken than is "strictly necessary".

Mrs Stilts’ proposal to refuse planning permission was voted through with three in favour and one abstention.