Plans for a vacant police station in Maldon to become offices will be voted on by town councillors next week.

TFP Financial Planning has submitted an application to the district council for the change of use of the former Maldon Police Station on West Square to offices, in a move which would create around 26 full-time and two part-time jobs.

The company is currently based on Maldon High Street but is seeking larger premises, and would occupy the ground floor of the building - employing around 12 full-time and two part-time employees.

The first floor office space would be rented out to other local businesses, providing for around 14 full-time employees spread over four offices.

The external appearance of the building and the existing car park would not be changed.

A statement by agent Phase 2 Planning and Development says the site is a "landmark building" but it has been "boarded up, vacant for over four-and-a-half years, and vulnerable to damage, decay and vandalism".

It adds: "Using the building for offices for the growth of a local business in a sustainable location and provision of additional office space to rent for the economic benefit of the Maldon district should be encouraged."

Maldon Police Station closed in July 2017 when a new police base opened in the district council offices on Princes Road.

The statement by Phase 2 Planning and Development says the station was closed because "the building was no longer suitable for modern policing, no longer required for the future Essex Police Estates Strategy and declared surplus to operational requirements".

It says "no services or jobs were lost through the decision to vacate the building" as staff were moved to alternative policing locations and the front counter provision and operations were relocated to the new base on Princes Road.

An application to convert the former police station into five self-contained apartments was refused in October 2020 for reasons including the loss of employment space and a community facility.

Maldon Town Council's planning committee will vote on the latest application on Monday (24 January).

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.