PLANS to turn the space left behind by a long-standing car dealership into a retail space have been submitted to Maldon District Council.

Quest Motor Group announced it would be moving out of its home at Wycke Hill Business Park this year after nearly a century in the town.

A proposal has now been drawn up by the Harris Partnership on behalf of Barkby Real Estate Development for the area at the junction between Wycke Hill and Limebrook Way.

The plans include an autocentre, two trade units, a drive-thru coffee shop, and car parking.

The design and access statement says: “Barkby Real Estate Development Limited are committed to delivering a well thought out, high quality proposal that seeks to improve the proposed development site.

“The proposed development responds to the following key set of requirements: the need to respect the character of the development in the locality, with due respect paid to the scale, form, appearance and materiality; an accessible and sustainable development, with no significant environmental effects or adverse impact upon highway safety or capacity.

“The proposals will provide good access to the site with provision for the main forms of travel and transport, including car, bus, cycle and pedestrian, with good access permeability through and around the site.”

The car dealership has been at the site since 2006 and will move out at the end of this month.