Plans to reduce the size of a church tower in a town centre have been refused. 

Stowmarket United Reformed Church, a non-designated heritage asset in Ipswich Street, lodged proposals with Mid Suffolk District Council in order to address "significant" defects within the tower. 

A planning statement said the "most sustainable approach" to correcting the issues were to reduce the level of the tower to just above the main flat roof. 

However, the application has been refused by planners.

The church in Ipswich Street, StowmarketThe church in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket (Image: Newsquest)

"Removal of the tower would denude the building and townscape of Stowmarket of an important architectural feature which is considered to make a positive contribution to the Stowmarket Conservation Area," a planning refusal notice said.

"It is not considered that the works proposed to the replacement of the tower have been fully justified and that the reduction in the tower would remove a significant feature of the conservation area and reduce the significance of the building itself."

A consultation response adds that alternative approaches should be considered.

The tower was previously issued with a dangerous structures notice in July.