PLANS are set to be voted on next week for the former site of a car dealership which moved out of Maldon after nearly 100 years.

Quest Motor Group was established in 1924 and founded in Maldon by Jim Gozzett.

The family business, now run by Jim's grandsons Robin and Martin, announced in April it would be moving out of its home on Wycke Hill Business Park.

It moved at the end of May due to the challenges the Covid pandemic brought for the industry.

Owners Robin and Martin said at the time the relocation was a "difficult but necessary decision" as they had to adapt the business in line with "rapidly changing" consumer behaviour.

Read more: Car dealership which has been in town since the 1920s to move out this year

Maldon customers continue to be taken care of by the business at its Braintree branch in Rayne Road.

Plans for the empty site were unveiled and due to be voted on in July but were postponed due to concerns raised at the time over parking.

The project has since been changed and planning officers are recommending approval.

Its set to be voted by a Maldon District Council planning committee on Wednesday.

Developers' plans for the site include a "mixed-use development" made up of an autocentre with vehicle repair, MOT testing, showroom, car parking, and a drive-though coffee shop.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: The proposed site planThe proposed site plan

For flexibility, planning permission for specified Sui Generis uses is also sought.

The specified uses proposed include builder and plumbing merchants, electrical wholesale, motor supplies, hair and beauty supplies, or tool hire and sales.

The proposed drive-thru coffee shop would include indoor and outdoor seating.

Barkby Real Estate Developments Ltd, the applicant, said this element would "provide an ancillary and complementary function to the employment uses proposed on the site, and the wider employment area".

The bid received some objections from residents who do not want another coffee shop in the area.

In a comment submitted in July, The Maldon Society said: "Although a stand-alone Costa coffee shop would be more appropriate to a high street location, we already have two, one of which is as this one, on the periphery of the town's main trading area."

Maldon District Council will rule on the application.