NEIGHBOURS are claiming a victory after a church backed down over plans to build flats opposite their homes.

The group responsible for St Elizabeth’s church in Chestnut Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, which is empty, applied for permission to demolish it and build a two or three-storey block of 20 retirement flats in its place.

But people living along the road, who saved the green next to the church from development in 2010, vowed not to let the flats, which they claimed would tower over their homes, be built.

Kevin Merriman, 57, said: “It’s round one to us, but it’s never over until it’s all over.

“We understand that the number of people going to services in a church like that is going to be very low and from that point of view, it’s going to need a change of use.

“We would like to see the structure kept.”

Stella Douse, 63, who also lives in Chestnut Avenue, said: “It’s very good news.

“Of course, they have to do something with it, but if they were to do work inside it and leave it as it looks, nobody would have a problem.”

Patrick Coppeard, chairman of the development committee for the Anglican churches in Buckhurst Hill, which also include St John’s and St Stephen’s, said: “There was a high level of objection and it’s not something we wanted to do in conflict with people.

“We’ve taken note of the objections and have withdrawn it at this stage.

“We’re looking at the plans and I think we want to look at consulting with the local people and the parish council.”

The church has not been used for services for five years due to a dwindling congregation and the nursery that was based there moved to St Stephen’s last year.

“It’s going to go to rack and ruin if it’s left, so there’s got to be something on the site, but it’s better to do it with the consultation of local people,” added Mr Coppeard.

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