PLANNING experts say a bid to turn a former police station into flats should be turned down.

Developers want the green light to turn the old police station in West Square, Maldon, into five self-contained apartments.

The proposal is due to go before Maldon Council's planning committee on Wednesday evening.

But the plans are recommended for refusal.

Council planning officers say not enough has been done to try to continue using the historic two-storey building for employment purposes.

Their report says: "It is not considered that it has been demonstrated that the use of the site for employment purposes is no longer viable, taking into account the site’s existing and potential long-term market demand for an employment use."

Maldon Town Council has objected to the plan and says it will result in overdevelopment.

It also has concerns over lack of parking at the site.

The district council report says the proposals would not have a negative effect on the surrounding conservation area.

It says: "The proposed scheme would largely preserve the established external character of the building and the contribution it makes to the character of the conservation area.

"There would be some harm caused to the building’s significance, as a non-designated heritage asset, as a result of the degree of internal reconfiguration – particularly the loss of original police cells.

"However, the degree of harm would be limited and justified by the benefit of restoring this empty historic building back into a viable use."

The old police station closed on July 31, 2017, after a new base opened at the district council offices on Princes Road.