A listed church has been saved from demolition after plans to replace it with 14 new homes were refused.

A proposal submitted to Epping Forest District Council sought to knock down St Elisabeth’s Church in Buckhurst Hill and replace it with a block of seven “contemporary” flats and seven new houses.

The 1938 church in Chestnut Avenue has been left unused for the last five years, but opponents to the project claimed it was an attractive community asset. 

The application by the Parochial Church Council faced significant opposition from members of the public and Buckhurst Hill Parish Council.

District councillors last night voted to refuse the plans despite recommendations from council officers, who said the church was “not of any architectural significance”.

However, committee members expressed concern over the height of the design, saying it was out of character with the neighbourhood.  

People living opposite the church also claimed the new homes would overlook their own rooms and gardens.