Developers have launched an appeal after their ‘obscene’ plans to convert a Grade II listed building were shot down.

The grounds of Friary East in Carmelite Way, Maldon, had plans for 28 homes.

Plans would have meant the building, owned by Essex County Council, would have been converted into seven flats and its extension into two townhouses.

The plans were met with strong objections, especially from the Maldon Society, and were thrown out by Maldon District Council earlier this year.

The report said: “The proposed development, as a result of its layout, scale, mass, height and bulk, unsympathetic design, loss of important landscaping, and excessive site coverage would have an unacceptable visual impact upon the character and appearance of the site, the setting of the listed building at the site and the Conservation Area.”

The applicant, Essex Housing, submitted an appeal which started on October 30 and Maldon Society chairman Judy Lea has now spoken out about the decision.

She said: “The Maldon Society considers this proposal a dreadful mistake.

“The town centre businesses are heavily reliant on footfall from this side of the high street. The chaos that would result from construction traffic doesn’t bear thinking about.

“For a start it shows no respect for Maldon’s heritage - this is a really important central site historically, in a conservation area, with layers of previous histories yet to be fully explored.”

Friary East was built in the early 19th century and was a private residence until it was bought by Essex County Council in 1946.

Beacon Planning carried out a heritage statement for Essex Housing.

It said: “The proposed conversion to residential will include some alteration to the building through the division of the building into nine units.

“There will inevitably be some loss of fabric, however it is considered this impact is mitigated through areas of loss being located in areas of lower significance and by being limited in scope.”

All appeal representations must be in by December 4.