A PUBLIC inquiry into the future of Birch’s church will take place in October.

The historic Grade II listed building faces being demolished but is a key component of Birch’s Conservation Area.

Colchester Council’s Local Plan committee has made strong representations about the need to save the Church of St Peter and St Paul.

Councillors discussed the church as they agreed to a plan to preserve the village’s character.

Tim Young, deputy leader of Colchester Council, who married his wife, Birch girl Julie, in the church said it is almost an example of “feudal England”.

He said: “It’s beautiful.

"It’s different to where I come from, it’s different to where I grew up and it’s different to where I represent but it’s an important part of the borough.

“The church is an important iconic landmark and the landscape would be totally different without it.”

This is the first full review of Birch’s conservation area since it was designated in September 1993.

It encompasses seven listed buildings and 5.48 hectares of land.

Vincent Pearce, planning projects specialisat the council, said the aims of the review are to assess if the boundary is still relevant, whether it should be changed and if there is anything which needs more attention.

He said as part of the council’s management proposals, it will continue to oppose the boarded-up church being demolished and leave the conservation boundary as it is, but might remove residents’ permitted development rights.

He said: “You can do quite a bit of harm to the character of a place by very little changes and we have a rare snapshot of a moment in time where estate villages existed.”

Andrew Ellis (Con), who represents Marks Tey and Layer, said the church was an issue which divided opinion.

He said: “The church is a polarised issue. Someone wants to turn it into a house and others don’t want that.

“We’ll be talking to the commissioners about if there’s a way maybe we don’t have a dwelling there but retain the spire as it’s an important landmark.”

A six-week consultation about the draft conservation area begins next year.

The inquiry for the church’s demolition begins on October 9.

All interested parties will be able to submit written evidence and to appear, and if they choose speak, at the inquiry.

The Church of England will be bound by the Secretary of State’s decision under the Skelmersdale Agreement.

To listen to the full debate and read the report, click here.

READ MORE: CHARITY'S PLEA TO SAVE CHURCH TOWER FROM DEMOLITION