A former church in Marlow Bottom could soon be bulldozed to make way for a new four-bedroom home under fresh plans.

Russell Gasgoyne has applied for permission to redevelop the former Bethel Methodist Church site. The proposal would see the construction of a detached four-bedroom house.

Plans show the new home would include a generous private rear garden, a lockable cycle store, a patio area and lawn, replacing the existing church building.

The house would follow the established building line of neighbouring properties and use the current access point from Marlow Bottom. It would also feature an undercroft garage and two additional parking spaces on the driveway.

In the planning statement it said: “The former Methodist Church has been vacant since July 2023.

“This followed a sustained decline in congregation numbers, which resulted in the permanent cessation of services and associated community activities.

“Since its closure, the building has remained unused and no longer functions as an active, viable, or deliverable community facility.

“A review of existing community infrastructure confirms that there is no identified shortfall in facilities capable of meeting local community needs.

“In this case, the long-standing vacancy of the property combined with the presence and accessibility of an alternative, active facility within 185 metres provides clear and reasonable evidence that the existing building is surplus to local community requirements.

“Accordingly, its redevelopment would not conflict with the intent of the policy, which seeks to ensure adequate community provision.”

It added that given the site was located in Marlow Bottom and that Bucks Council had a “significant undersupply of housing” that this would be a significant material consideration.

“The proposed dwelling would be built from high quality materials allowing it to assimilate in with the design language of the surrounding area,” it said.

“In addition to this, the overall bulk and form of the building has been reduced with a single storey element to the rear further reducing any perceived overbearing impact on neighbours.

“The development would not prejudice road safety, traffic flow, or the operation of the local highway network. As such, there are no transport or highways grounds on which the proposal should be refused.”

It comes as plans to demolish the former church in and replace it with new homes have been rejected by a government inspector.

Developers had proposed knocking down the church, which has stood empty since July 2023 following a sharp decline in attendance, and building two three-bedroom houses in its place.

However, Buckinghamshire Council refused the application last July, arguing the development would create a cramped layout and that there was not enough evidence to show the building was no longer needed by the community.

The applicant, Russell Gascoyne, appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate — but the appeal was dismissed in March.

Inspector Murphy said the development would cause “significant harm” to the character and appearance of the area, as well as to neighbours’ outlook.

They also said there was not enough evidence to prove the church was no longer needed by the community.