A MALVERN church has been told by London's High Court to put its expansion plans on hold following concerns about the lack of protection for trees on the site.

St Andrew's Church was granted planning permission to build two new meeting rooms and visitor facilities by Malvern Hills District Council in August last year. But one of the country's top judges, Mr Justice Lloyd Jones, has now overturned the decision after the district council itself conceded that the granting of permission had been "unlawful".

The case was taken to the High Court by John Sullivan, who has been campaigning to protect the trees - including pine, yew and sweet chestnuts - near the church in Church Down Road. He argued planning permission was also contrary to the council's own tree preservation order.

Two arboriculture experts - one acting on behalf of Mr Sullivan and the other on behalf of Malvern Hills District Council - will now visit St Andrew's on Thursday, July 13 when it is hoped an agreement can be made.

Mr Sullivan, of Knoll Lane, Poolbrook, Malvern, said: "I have been strongly advised that on seven different counts the trees could be seriously damaged, or killed, by any development.

"There are 50 or so trees around the church, of which nine will be directly affected. The upcoming site visit will see if the two tree experts can agree on points they currently differ on.

"I don't see the need for such a big application in this rural setting anyway."

In papers before the court, the district council conceded that the decision was "unlawful", partly because a condition of the planning permission aimed at protecting 'retained trees' was "unreasonable, unintelligible and unenforceable" because nowhere was it stated which trees were to be retained. After the hearing, the council declined to comment on the decision.

The vicar and parochial church council, applicants for planning permission, will now seek to persuade the council again that permission should be granted for the scheme, which would also provide a new parking area.

Jackie Bailey, PA to the Rev Paul Finch, who is currently away on holiday, said: "The extra room is something we want for the church and for the wider commuinity.

"We, as a church organisation, are going with the flow and will accept the eventual planning decision, whatever it may be."