Plans to demolish a former church in Marlow Bottom and replace it with new homes have been rejected by a government inspector.

Developers had proposed knocking down the Bethel Methodist 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 has now been dismissed.

In support of the plans, it had been argued there was a “justifiable loss” of the community facility. The statement also claimed the council’s shortfall in housing delivery weighed in favour of the development.

It said: “It is considered the proposed development would contribute an appropriate windfall site to the borough’s housing supply, without adverse effect on the character of the area or the amenity of neighbouring residents.”

But Inspector Murphy disagreed, concluding 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.

The Inspector said: “No substantive evidence is before me of the length of duration this decline took place, what the decline would appear as in numbers and what congregation numbers would be required to sustain the place of worship prior to its closure.

“I note that the period of vacancy includes a period when the church was being marketed for sale alongside its subsequent purchase.

“I also cannot identify evidence to confirm that for the marketing period the building was advertised as a community facility suitable for other community uses or that any investigation took place into community need within the area.

“Furthermore, whilst I note that information has been provided detailing why parties did not proceed with purchasing the property, it is unclear whether those parties intended on purchasing the property for a community use or another use.

“It is also unclear whether a range of terms were openly promoted and whether any guide price used reflected an agreed valuation for the building based on its community use.”

While the proposal was considered acceptable in terms of highways, the inspector said the overall impact would still be harmful.

The Inspector added: “However, I have concluded that the effect on the character and appearance of the local area, on the outlook of neighbours and the effect on tree T1 would result in significant harm.