PLANS to boost funds at a 180-year-old Hampshire church by developing some of its land have been rejected for a second time.

Blackfield Baptist Church wanted to build four homes at nearby Waverley Place with profits from the scheme ploughed in to a church refurbishment project.

A similar scheme for seven houses was thrown out three years ago on appeal – and now the fresh proposals have been given the red light as well.

Planners at New Forest District Council say the designs are cramped and that the houses would be too close to the church.

As part of the scheme, the current minister’s home would have been sold. Cash raised from the project would have been used to improve disabled access, pay for the minister to work longer hours and undertake a revamp of parts of the building.

Church bosses are awaiting a response from the developer before responding to the planning snub.