Residents have branded a decision to approve a second grave-exhuming licence a “disgrace”.

The licence, which was applied for by Reverend Wayne Dulson in October, was approved by the Ministry of Justice on Friday and will allow the exhumation of numerous unmarked graves to make way for a two-storey family home in the grounds of Loughton Baptist Church, in High Road, Loughton.

The licence was granted on the condition that a gazebo must be installed to shield the remains from the public.

The decision follows a building row in 2013 when neighbours complained about being able to see 25 coffins, including some containing mothers with children, after they were exhumed to make way for a new playgroup building.

Colin Hart, 50, of Ollards Grove in Loughton, whose family home backs on to the site, said: “It is astounding that the church has continued with its actions.

“Despite objecting to the allowance of this licence on the grounds that it isn’t justifiable to remove people from their last place of rest the Ministry of Justice have once again not seen it necessary to communicate their decision with the people whose lives are most affected.

“The pictures provided clearly demonstrate how disgracefully the church handled the first exhumations and yet they are rewarded with a further licence to dig up yet more people.

"We and many others have been misled by this church from the very beginning of this sorry saga and those that could have put a stop to this have failed the public.

“More than 50 bodies will have been exhumed by the time they finish. 

“There is absolutely no concern for the lives of the people that are being blighted by the actions of this church, it is a disgrace.”

Councillor Chris Pond of Loughton Residents Association said: “I think this is a very regrettable situation especially as the council planning committee were told by the applicant that no graves were to be exhumed.

“I am very sorry for the neighbours having to have another exhumation at the bottom of their gardens.” 

Reverend Wayne Dulson refused to comment.