More office units and flats could come to Marlow’s High Street in a conservation area if new plans are given the green light.

Developers want to knock down a “low-grade” storage building behind numbers 79-81 High Street, where Huttons is based, and replace it with an extension to the shops housing seven flats.

The original part of the building is Grade-II listed and the site is in the Marlow Conservation Area.

Sorbon Estates, which has put the application in, wants to create a bigger retail space on the ground floor at the front, office units on the first and second floors as well as four two bedroom and three one bedroom flats with parking underneath in the proposed rear extension.

They also want Wycombe District Council to consider internal alterations to remove stud walls and rearrange the layout to make the two shop units into one large one.

They say the stud walls to be removed are “modern additions” to the site and these alterations have previously been approved under different planning applications.

The design and access statement says: “The proposals will allow the continued use of the shop and prevent it falling into a state of disrepair. 

“The proposals are considered to be de-minimus and will not result in a negative impact on the listed building.

“The extension replaces an unattractive pre-fabricated building with a more modern addition. 

“Whilst subjective, the extension presents a more attractive addition to the building.”

“It has been designed to be read as subordinate to the listed building and creates and environment that maintains the long term vitality of the listed building.

“The internal alterations do not materially impact the character, or historic significance of the conservation area.”

Speaking at a meeting of the Marlow Community Forum, resident Janet Martin said it was “disgraceful”.

She said: “A friend of mine who lives in one of the flats said she’s having to rehouse herself.

“I know places change but having being born in this town I think it’s disgraceful that the character of the town is going.

“Everything that was left for the people – Court Garden was there was Marlow, Liston Court, Higginson Park – it’s all gone and I just think it’s so sad.

“I think that Marlow is not Marlow anymore.”

Marlow Town Council said there was no objection from its side “in principle” but it had concerns over parking for the additional proposed office space.

The “principle” of the rear extension and flats has been agreed under a previous application.

Sorbon Estates said in a statement: “The improvement and extension works at 79-81 High Street are due to commence in June and we are in talks with a unique online independent that is keen to come to Marlow and take the ground floor retail unit.

“The upper floors will become improved office space and there will be new flats created at the rear.

“It is a comprehensive scheme that improves an important listed building.”