A church in Seven Kings is to be completely redeveloped after running costs became too high.

Plans include demolishing the existing church, levelling the ground and building flats, a library and a new more efficient church building.

Seven Kings Methodist Church, Balmoral Gardens, wad built in 1905 but heating costs and a small congregation have made it increasingly unmanageable.

Steve Poole, superintendent of the church, said: “About 30 people attend the church so it’s not a particularly big congregation but obviously it is sad for people who have been attending the church for a long time.”

The church is used by scout and guide groups, a women’s fellowship meeting and the hall is rented out to another church each Sunday.

As the building is on different levels each entrance has steps making access for disabled people difficult.

Mr Poole said: “The lack of access for disabled people is one of the reasons we are having this scheme. There’s a real need for community space but because it’s not user friendly it’s not being used how it could.”

Plans include building approximately 20 flats with the potential for a library and caf� with two developers reportedly already interested.

Mr Poole said: “I’m all about the church being relevant and useful in the community now and in the future. It’s served well in the past but it’s now time for a new look and way of serving the community and it’s not serving those needs now.”

The two-storey Edwardian brick church was one of three churches built in the same style around the borough. It has a capacity for 270 people.