A CHURCH in Woodford Wells has suffered another setback as it seeks to win approval for its long-awaited £3 million development plans.

All Saints' Church, on Inmans Row, which has the largest Anglican congregation in Redbridge, wants permission for a glass and steel ‘link’ building between the church and its hall, along with a new annexe, garage and store room.

The council's regulatory committee voted last night (Tuesday) to defer a decision on its plans while it waits for the result of an appeal over an earlier rejection.

Rev Paul Harcourt expressed his disappointment at the decision, saying: “We were looking forward to the having the chance to present our application.”

The appeal will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate on October 6.

The only member of the committee to vote against the deferral last night, Councillor Richard Hoskins, described the delay as “a nonsense” and said that the church deserved a hearing as they had gone through all the proper channels.

"Some members of the committee felt that the decision should be deferred until the appeal was heard by the inspectors,” he said.