COUNCILLORS voted again to pass plans for a new three-storey mosque — despite having approved the same application just three months ago.

Members of the planning committee were confused as to why plans for the new mosque and community centre in Grecian Crescent were back in front of them — with the applicants from the Makkah Mosque stating they wanted to explain about parking provision.

When the plans were approved in August, it was agreed that the existing mosque building in Grecian Crescent would be demolished to room for parking spaces for the new three-storey development.

The resubmitted plans also confirmed that an extra 45 spaces will be available at the nearby Bolton Islamic Girls’ School in Weston Street for users of the new mosque.

This means that in total there could be a total of 184 spaces for users — which still falls someway short of the required amount for a development of this size.

Labour member, Cllr Nick Peel pointed out that an important condition had been attached to the plans, which he said had improved them.

He said: “This has already been approved and that is confusing us a bit but there is an important difference this time round.

“The condition states that the new mosque cannot be allowed to function before the existing building is demolished and 139 parking spaces are created.

“I think that is an improvement on the previous plan, it tightens it up in terms of conditions.”

All councillors — bar UKIP members Sean Hornby and Paul Richardson — voted in favour of the plans, with many stating that they were compelled to because an identical plan had already been approved.

Conservative Councillor Bob Allen said: "We have already approved this application and with less parking.

"So if we refuse this current plan and the applicant appeals that decision, I am 100 per cent sure we would lose."

The decision prompted an angry reaction from a small section of the public gallery, who shouted at the councillors and appeared to throw money at them, while shouting ‘corrupt’.

The total footprint of the new mosque will cover 5.895 sq m, compared to the 2.680 sq m taken up by the existing mosque plot.  A spokesman for the developer said the new mosque will “provide much needed prayer and other facilities for women and children as well as to cater for the wider local community irrespective of their race, creed, colour gender and religion.”

At the meeting, the spokesman said the community centre will be open to all.