An estate agent has warned part of Witham’s town centre could become “rundown” if they are not allowed to open an office there.

CM Rent has applied for permission to open a new office at 40 Newland Street, Witham.

The unit was formerly home to Picturesque Kodak Express, which stopped trading in October.

Family-run CM Rent, which was founded in 2003, currently has offices in Braintree, Chelmsford and Billericay.

Its owners, Michael and Susannah Saville, have warned Braintree Council that rejecting their change of use proposal for the site could cause parts of the town centre to become “rundown”.

It currently manages properties in Witham from its office in Century Drive, Braintree, but wants a dedicated presence in the town.