Papa Johns has submitted a new application to turn a former High Street bank into a takeaway, after two previous rejections by Maldon District Council.

The pizza chain was refused planning permission last month.

Papa Johns' proposed development description is: "Change of use from Class E to a Hot Food Takeaway unit (Sui Generis) including associated minor external alterations to the rear."

Submitted by Pegasus Group on behalf of the company, plans show the 84.8 square-metre takeaway would include a 15.5 square-metre customer area with a 'breakfast bar' facing out into the High Street.

The existing shopfront, double doors, and frames will be retained, with new signage placed above to match the dimensions of the existing signage.

There would be two offices, a kitchen, and toilets upstairs.

When approached for a comment following Papa Johns' previous rejection, a spokesperson told Nub News: "We only comment on store openings when they are actually open."

Last time, Maldon District Council denied planning permission, saying: "The Applicant has not demonstrated, to an acceptable degree, that the proposed development would not result in a detrimental impact on highway safety or the free flow of traffic.

"The proposed development is, therefore, contrary to policies T2 and D1 of the Local Development Plan and Government guidance contained within the NPPF."

This was supported by Maldon Town Council, which raised concerns over highway safety, saying it could be 'jeopardised' if patrons stopped their vehicles near the roundabout.

However, in the latest planning statement, Pegasus Group said: "The amount of parking available for staff, customers, and delivery drivers within the site and its vicinity greatly exceeds the requirements of the adopted Vehicle Parking Standards, which do not require any parking spaces for hot food takeaways.

"Therefore, the scheme is fully compliant with Policies T2 and D1 of the Local Plan, as it provides sufficient, safe, and useable parking facilities."

A spokesperson for Papa Johns (GB) Ltd has been approached for comment.

For more of this week's planning applications, check out Maldon Nub News' picks of the 11 key applications near you.