A proposal submitted by Farleigh Hospice to create a community hub at its new Maldon site, to support patients, families and bereaved clients in the district, has been refused.

The plans included a part single, part two-storey front extension to the building on Mill Road which would have created a new entrance, with clinical or consulting rooms on the ground floor, and a community café.

The proposal also involved a new garden courtyard to the midsection of the existing building and a garden to the rear.

Maldon District Council (MDC) planning officers refused the application on the basis that "the proposed development, by reason of its siting, scale, appearance and form, would be out of keeping with the surrounding properties".

The building is situated between Berridge House, which contains residential flats, and residential dwellings with a car park to the rear of the site.

Officers added: "Its prominent positioning and contrived appearance would result in an incongruous form of development that would have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and existing site."

Concerns about "the proposed parallel parking arrangement at the front of the site" were also raised by officers, who said it would result in "reduced visibility and vehicles stopping on the carriageway in order to parallel park".

They said that this could be detrimental to the safety of people on the highway and the passage of utility or emergency vehicles.