A controversial bid to transform a 19th century church hall into homes has been blocked.
Reverend Robert Hampson is hoping to convert the hall at Holy Trinity Church, in Hermon Hill, South Woodford, into nine residential homes, with a new hall erected next door.
The proposal, originally lodged in September last year, was rejected by council planners due to “insufficient detail” on how building work would be carried out without harmiing trees on the site.
The plans for a brand new hall to be built from scratch next door to the South Woodford church.
The plans were presented at a public meeting in July last year.
The original proposal was to demolish the 1889 Victorian Hall, but following the meeting plans were changed to just convert the building.
There was a mixed reaction to the plans at the time, with some parishioners backing the plan to build a brand new hall, while others expressed concern that the historic hall would be converted into homes.
Speaking to the Guardian after the meeting last year, Rosemary Gibbard, who has been worshipping at the church since 1968, denounced the move as “ungodly”.
Reverend Robert Hampson said the work was urgently needed because the hall was in a poor state of repair.
He has made assurances that the hall's external appearance would be preserved from the road.
Reverend Robert Hampson is hoping to convert the 1889 church hall at Holy Trinity Church to housing.
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