PLANS for a church to be partially demolished and turned into homes have been rejected.

Members of Southend’s planning committee dismissed the plans for Park Road Methodist Church in Westcliff which included turning the building into four houses and two apartments with garages too small for cars.

The church is a Grade II listed building and has stood empty for 20 years.

The planning application proposed partially demolishing it along with buildings attached to the church hall in order to create the new properties, as well as garages.

However, councillors threw out the application after planning officers highlighted several concerns. These include the applicant’s failure to demonstrate alternative uses of the building for its protection, the proposal to build garages which are too small for vehicles and the possibility of new properties overlooking neighbours.

Councillor Denis Garne said: “What is being planned to do to it would seem a travesty of what the building originally stood for. We should not accept what has been proposed.”

Councillor Steve Buckley also slammed the proposal, saying that it “fails on so many points”.

It was suggested by Councillor Chris Walker that the council should purchase the building in order to preserve it and it could then be made available for musical groups.

He added that it would be “such a shame to lose this building”.

An agent representing the applicant was due to speak in defence of the development but failed to attend.

A resident and representative of the Milton Conservation Society, Andy Atkinson, did speak at the meeting and said the applicant “does not appear to understand and has not adequately proposed care to the listed building”.

In a vote, members of the planning committee unanimously rejected the proposal and planning officers said they will assess what options are available to protect the building.

The church was built in 1872 and is a prominent feature of the Milton Conservation Area. It received listed status in 1987 due to its “special architectural and historical interest and character”.

The church hall, which is also a Grade II building was built 30 years after the church and was used as a school room.