A BID for a new holiday let in the district has been unveiled.

A planning application has been submitted to convert a recreational outbuilding to a single two-bedroom, four person, holiday let in Althorne.

The proposed development is at land rear of Limes View in Burnham Road and the external appearance of the building will remain the same in terms of materials.

The building will also not have any alterations to the roofline.

However, there will be the addition of new UPVC windows and patio doors and the removal of storage room doors to be replaced with windows.

Visitors travelling by car will have access to off-street parking and Althorne railway station is less than two miles away.

The planning statement says the proposed holiday accommodation would supply the area with the "additional bed spaces required as there is a shortage".

It also states the UK has seen a "dramatic increase" in staycations arising from the Covid pandemic.

It said: "This lends further support to this type of proposal, making the best use of the existing building at an optimum time for the UK tourism industry."

The applicant argues the proposed holiday accommodation would support the tourism economy in the area.

They use results from a recent study, Destination research in 2019, to support their proposal.

The study shows Maldon attracts a higher-than-average proportion of day trippers compared to Essex and the East of England as a whole.

The planning statement continues: "The key factor in the determination of this application is considered to be the principle of development.

"The proposal utilises an existing building and would therefore not have a detrimental impact on the local rural landscape.

"Furthermore, the application supports the local tourism economy by providing additional accommodation and subsequently attracting visitors to the many local attractions and places of interest that the Maldon district has to offer."

Environmental Health has commented: "The building may be suitable for holiday accommodation, but may not for permanent, residential use therefore should you be minded to grant permission I would suggest a condition to ensure it remains for holiday use only."