A CHURCH refused permission to build on a Liverpool graveyard is to officially appeal against the decision.

All Saints, Childwall, is appealing to the Planning Inspectorate after city councillors threw out its plans in September.

Liverpool council officials had recommended the scheme for approval.

But councillors rejected it at a fraught meeting at Liverpool Town Hall, where church members, the heritage lobby, and residents clashed over the future of the only medieval church in Merseyside.

The planning committee ruled a rotunda extension was out of keeping with the fabric of the Grade I-listed building and the conservation area in which it sits.

But, because the plans were originally recommended for approval, the council may struggle to defend the stance at appeal.

In a statement, the church said: “The Church Council for All Saints, Childwall, has unanimously agreed to appeal the planning decision of September 6 to refuse permission for their proposed extension.

“The church council believe they have sufficient grounds to appeal what was, in the opinion of their professional advisors, a flawed judgement. We remain convinced that our original proposal remains a sensitive yet visionary way to enable our beautiful church to be a place for future generations to worship and enjoy.”

A council spokesman said: “As this decision is subject to an appeal, it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage.”