A community group is fighting plans to bulldoze a historic church to build flats.

The Friends of Wandle Park are opposing plans to demolish St Edmund’s Church, built in the Victorian period, and want it to be restored to its former glory instead.

Property developer Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated submitted an application for permission demolish St Edmund’s Church in Cornwall Road, Croydon, to build 32 flats and parking spaces to Croydon Council in April.

The four-storey building is proposed to include 13 one-bedroom flats, 16 two-bed flats and three three-bed flats.

Although the church is not heritage-listed, the council is required to consult English Heritage before making its final decision on the future of the building, which is associated with famous Victorian illustrator and author Cicely Mary Barker and once included a now-lost stained-glass window designed by her.

In recent years the derelict church and adjoining house, in Wandle Park, has been used for offices and storage.

Simon Jones, treasurer of the Friends of Wandle Park, said the church, which was deconsecrated about 20 years ago, could be a valuable community asset.

He said: “In an ideal world we don’t want the church to be demolished. I understand that development happens eventually but it would be nice if they could incorporate the church because I am sure they are able to do that.

“For those who like the park it is going to affect the whole nature of it, it is going to be a different park. It is a really lovely building. It is a community asset.”

Mr Jones added: "It is a considerably old church and we have tried for six or seven years to try and get it locally listed but that hasn’t been given much attention at all really.

“I live six or seven houses away from the church and our houses are now in the central Croydon conservation area but for whatever reason we haven’t been able to get the church listed.

“Croydon bangs on about its heritage but does nothing to protect it, except for the big Grade I listed buildings.”

Public consultation on the proposal has closed with five objections lodged against the development.

According to the Environment Agency the building is in a “critical drainage area” and is at risk of flooding from excess surface water.

The council is set to make a decision on the application by August.