A BID to renovate a derelict medieval building has suffered a setback after being turned down by council planners.

The old General Stores and adjoining house, on Maldon Road, Langford, is a timber-framed listed building, with features dating back to the early 18th Century.

The building was first developed as a single-storey hall house in the 15th or early-16th Century and is the oldest house in the village.

The date '1725' is inscribed on a plaque on the front of the main chimney stack.

But the building is currently boarded up and has been branded an "eyesore".

An application was made to Maldon District Council for planning permission for major renovation work so the building can be lived in again.

The plans included a new rear extension in-keeping with the house, new windows and a garage built with black timber weatherboarding to match the current outbuilding.

An existing wall and dilapidated outbuilding would be demolished to make way for a driveway, with a new garage at the side.

The application says: "The existing dwelling is in a dilapidated state with the windows at ground floor boarded over, making the dwelling unliveable.

"The parking arrangement is not suitable the size of the property and the dilapidated outbuilding roof has collapsed and is a poor state of repair.

"The proposed renovation works would mean the property becomes liveable throughout and the boards to the windows removed making the property more aesthetically pleasing to all elevations rather than an eyesore to the public."

The listed building is in the Langford conservation area.

A conservation officer said the heritage statement included in the application was inadequate.

Their report says: "As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary.

The General Stores is part of an important listed building with complex phasing.

"Several of the alterations proposed as part of the applications would have a considerable impact, and should be informed by an expert heritage statement by a buildings historian."

The district council refused the application, saying the development would harm the character and appearance of the listed building.