A HIGH street market will now be a permanent part of Burnham.

Plans were approved by Maldon District Council’s south eastern area planning committee to have the weekly market in High Street, Burnham, take place every Tuesday.

The plans previously gave the site temporary permission to run a weekly market in the high street - however, it did not always take place.

The plans were recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers, despite Burnham Town Council raising its own concerns about the market’s early opening times.

Ron Pratt, councillor for Burnham, said: “As many are aware, there is normally a problem with early starts.

“The market has been extremely successful, it is a great tourist attraction in the summer, so I whole heartedly support the recommendation and I think we should enforce the non-play of music from the stalls as that is an issue.”

The market site “between Barclays Bank and the hotel building at the junction of Ship Road with High Street” will contain a total of 16 stalls for traders to sell on.

An amendment was also made to change the proposal to have the market from 7.30am to 4pm, instead of 7am.

The change was intended in order to ensure the residents surrounding the market area are happy with the market’s presence every Tuesday.

The officer’s report added: “There is no objection to the continuation of the use of the site as a market as it is considered to reflect its historic nature.

“The market is considered to promote the overall vitality of the town centre environment which in turn contributes to the character of the Burnham Conservation Area.

“Therefore, the proposal may promote further visitors to the historic town and may help to raise awareness of the important of heritage protection.”