A funeral director has defended his plans to open a new parlour in Maldon - metres from flats occupied by pensioners.
Chelmsford-based Adam and Greenwood funeral directors wants to convert a former chiropody clinic after recently signing a contract to take on out-of-hours deaths in the Maldon district.
But pensioners living at the back of the building just off the High Street in Baker Mews described plans to open at the location as "depressing."
The sale of the property to Adam and Greenwood is expected to go through on August 15.
Ray Ward, 70, who runs the funeral directors, based in Rainsford Road in Chelmsford, still expects to open up as planned, provided permission is granted by Maldon District Council.
"Instead of talking to us about the business and the way we operate they just came at us with their pitchforks," Mr Ward told the Chronicle.
"They will calm down and we hope we'll get the permission needed to open there – and if need be we will appeal.
"It's been a surprise that the issue has blown up like this to be honest – the retirement homes we're not our main concern at the time.
"A hearse will not even go to the building, they would know if they would have spoken to us."
In April the funeral directors signed a new contract meaning they would have to remove recent deaths an hour from their time of passing.
"We need a base in the area and Maldon has very few shops that are not on the high street," Mr Ward added.
"There are other retirement homes nearby and I counted three funeral directors in the high street.
"There is so much mystery about our work but we are some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet."
Police officers currently have to stay with the bodies before they are transferred to the coroners freeing up police time in the area.
Brian Stewart, who lives on the top floor of the retirement block, told the Daily Mail: "When I look out of my windows, I look directly at this proposed funeral parlour.
"To think about it is so depressing."
