A WEDDING venue at a former mill building could be forced to close.

Councillors will decide on Thursday whether two units at St Paul’s Mill, in Daubhill, can continue to be used as a function suite.

The site — which can hold up to 250 people — is currently in use without planning permission, but council planning officers have recommended that the application is rejected due to the “significant harm” caused to residents.

Nearby neighbours have lodged complaints about traffic and noise from the venue, with one petition objecting to the plans receiving more than 400 signatures.

A report from the planning office states: “It is clear that there are a number of benefits to enabling the continuation of the use of the application site as a community and function space most notably that the building is a useful community resource and provides a source of local employment.

“However, the use of the premises as a large function suite generates substantial generation of vehicular movements, car parking and noise disturbance and when combined with the existing community uses within the mill results in disturbance to local residents.

“Officers consider that the benefits of approving the retention of the use do not outweigh the significant harm that would be caused to local residents by way of noise and disturbance and highway safety.”

Last year, the plans had been recommended for approval, but were withdrawn from the agenda before they could be discussed by the council’s planning committee.

Councillors vent frustration as controversial planning application is not discussed at meeting

The applicant, Gulam Ali Jiva, says the venue creates jobs and provides a valuable use for a building that would otherwise be empty.

In a statement submitted to the council, the developer said: “The application seeks to convert a disused industrial unit into a much needed community and function space. This will create jobs and provide an effective use for an otherwise vacant building.

“The applicant is trying to generate some sort of income for himself by way of renting the space to the local community and for small functions.”

The Bolton News:

St Paul's Mill 

Sohail Patel, who lives in Edgmont Avenue, said: “Traffic is a big issue in the area, and the safety concerns as a result of that. Of a weekend, there are massive numbers of cars and people congregating at the end of our road. There are constantly cars going up and down the road, so children can’t play outside. We are happy for the business to operate, but there needs to be some kind of parking permit system in place.”

The planning meeting will be held at 2pm on Thursday at Bolton Town Hall.