A FORMER car sales showroom will be converted into a place of worship after councillors gave the proposal the green light.

The site in Bridgeman Street, Great Lever, was approved at Bolton Council's planning committee on Thursday.

The building, formerly occupied by SK performance, will be primarily used by the Kurdish community for prayer and worship, but will also act as a community centre.

A total of 26 parking spaces, including three for disabled use, will be made available and there will also be a single storey extension added to the side and rear of the building, for storage use.

At the meeting a spokesman in support of the application said that the aim of the facility was to "re-locate from the current overcrowded premises in Derby Street, to a larger and more convenient site".

He added: "The Kurdish community does not have a community centre and place of worship of its own and this proposal provides the ideal solution for their needs."

Cllr Sean Hornby asked the spokesman if the centre would be used just for the Kurdish community but was told it would be "open to everyone".

Cllr Roger Heyes had concerns as to whether the parking would be adequate.

He said: "I am very happy that we should provide more provision for the Kurdish community, that is not my problem.

"The problem I do have with every application of this sort we are usually told that there will be limited usage but then we find that parking and congestion becomes an issue around the site because it is a good facility and more people want to use it."

The spokesman said he believed the venue would be able to fit up to 100 people.

Cllr Mudasir Dean said he thought the number of parking spaces was enough.

He added: "If you look at the size of the building and then you have to fit toilets and facilities in there, there really isn’t capacity for 100 people. I think that would be pushing it, but 26 spaces for this size of a building is fine.

"If it is to grow then they will have to come back to us to extend."

The opening hours of the centre will be 7am until 11pm, seven days a week and two full time and four part time staff will be employed.

Cllr Andy Morgan said: "We have approved a lot less appropriate buildings for community use.

"I think it is more than adequate, and I am happy to approve it."