ONE of Burnham’s oldest businesses could be lost in the near future without the income of a proposed housing development.

R. J. Prior and Sons yacht builders have been in Burnham for 125 years.

Managing director Robin Prior has submitted a planning application to Maldon District Council to transform one the company’s storage sheds into a seven home development, he says is necessary for the boatyard to survive.

The shed, in Station Road, Burnham, would be demolished and replaced by seven two and three bedroom homes, each with parking and amenity spaces.

Mr Prior said: “With our unsuccessful attempts over the past two years to sell the boatyard as a going concern, we find that the only option that remains open to preserve the yard is to streamline the business by selling off those areas that are no longer financially viable.

“The demise of our traditional business will necessitate considerable investment for the long term security of the boatyard operation and without input that this development could realise, the entire business may well be lost to the detriment and heritage of the town.”

The storage shed identified for the development is no longer financially or operationally viable, and would have to be taken down in any instance, regardless of the outcome of the application.

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made by Maldon District Council at the end of October.