AN evangelical church which wants to convert Walthamstow's historic former EMD cinema into a place of worship has lodged an appeal against a decision to refuse it planning permission.

The United Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) had its application to transform the grade II listed building in Hoe Street turned down by the council in May following widespread opposition from residents.

It had until November to appeal to the national Planning Inspectorate against the ruling, but there is no record of any such submission on the body's website, leading some to assume it had not been lodged.

But the Guardian has established that a row between the council and the UCKG over the format of the appeal is behind the delay in making the appeal public.

A spokeswoman for the planning inspectorate said the UCKG wanted the appeal to be based on written submissions, whereas the council wants a full public inquiry.

No appeal date will be set until the wrangle is resolved.

Neil Gerrard, chair of The Waltham Forest Cinema Trust, which wants to buy the building and reopen it as an entertainment venue, said the lack of any official announcement had caused "confusion" about the situation.

He added: "If the UCKG have lodged an appeal then it is not a huge set-back or surprise as we've always known they will do all they can to get what they want.

"Obviously we will take part in any appeal and I'm sure we won't be alone in making representations against it."

He said the trust was optimistic it can eventually persuade the UCKG to sell the building once it had exhausted the planning process.

The trust is currently developing a business case and feasibility study for its plans, which has been given the “wholehearted support” of the council, including a £15,000 grant.

A UCKG spokeswoman said: “The UCKG’s priority and reason for acquiring the building on Hoe Street is to open a local HelpCentre that will cater for the needs of its existing Waltham Forest congregation and provide a range of services to the community at large – this priority remains."

The UCKG's plans were rejected amid doubts over the impact on the local economy and concerns whether the usage would be suitable for the historic structure.

The church bought and closed the cinema in 2001, and has already had a previous application and appeal rejected.

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