PLANS to convert offices into an ‘aparthotel’ have been recommended for approval.

The offices, on Kings Road in Halstead, are currently occupied by Brands Direct Limited.

The plans put forward by Brands Direct owner Graham Kent would see the office space transformed into a block of eight holiday apartments.

The application has been recommended for approval by Braintree Council’s planning committee.

Brands Direct aims to move to a larger building.

Similar to bedsits, the aparthotel units would consist of a kitchenette, a small living space, bathroom and double bed.

The development also includes nine parking spaces – one for each flat and another for service staff.

However, the application has come under fire from some nearby residents on Kings Road.

One objector said: “I cannot understand the need for supposed ‘holiday lets’ when there are already public houses that offer accommodation as well as other bed and breakfast facilities.

“As the owner of property that directly looks on to the Brands Direct site I feel that it would also be totally inappropriate given that the site directly overlooks the public park.

“This raises questions over safeguarding of local children as well as the possible issues associated with anti-social behaviour that would increase if the supposed holiday lets give way to short term housing as is believed to be the case.

“As police presence is currently compromised, I feel this is a serious consideration.

“The accompanying noise levels that comes with conversion of the property would inevitably spoil the enjoyment of our homes.

“We already have huge issues with lack of parking and this will only contribute to that and the flow of traffic in such a confined area.

“The fire service who use Kings Road as access to the rest of Halstead already have difficulty manoeuvring through this road as it is.”

Brands Direct released a statement in response to concerns over parking and traffic.

It said: “The residents appear to fail to understand that there would in fact be significantly less vehicles frequenting the premises.

“There would no longer be any office staff located at the premises, nor would there be any requirement for daily delivery vehicles to attend the building.”

The company had put forward plans to build new offices on the old Bird in Hand pub site in Earls Colne, but the proposals were rejected by Braintree Council.

The council will have the final say on the Kings Road aparthotel proposal.