LEADERS of an Islamic school have revealed plans to develop it into a state-of-the-art teaching facility.

In February, Bolton Council backed a plan for a group called Masjid Nooor ul Islam to open a community and prayer centre for Islamic teaching at the former Bowling Green pub in Eskrick Street, Halliwell.

There is a prayer hall, a meeting room and space for children aged six to 16 to learn Arabic and lessons about prayer and faith between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays.

Now the group wants to build a two-storey extension on the side of the building so they can modernise the centre.

In a report to the council, leaders of the group say they do not plan to increase the number of students, but want to provide a new format of teaching.

The group wants to use computers, interactive whiteboards and other modern equipment as well as meeting rooms, offices, a library, store rooms and caretaker, which they say will make it a state-of-the-art environment.

The report adds: “The applicant has an aim of modernising the teaching process and enhancing the learning experience by investing in new technologies and modern equipment, moving away from traditional Islamic-style teaching to a more a desk-based classroom format.

“Consultation within the membership of the school has revealed an enthusiastic demand for these aspirations and the development will be funded entirely by local people.

“There was a need to reconnect with the disaffected youth of the community and the building will be a foundation that can be built upon.

“The proposal will benefit the local community by providing teaching and ethical guidance to the young people of the area.”

It adds that the appearance of the extension would be in keeping with other Islamic developments in the area.

The centre is open from 5am to 11pm daily and employs three people.

Two people formally objected to the application that councillors passed in February amid concerns about traffic, though seven people formally supported it.

The centre has a one-way drop-off system monitored by marshals in high-visibility jackets to ensure there are no parking problems. The council is expected to reach a decision by June 9 on whether the extension can built.

Masjid Nooor ul Islam also runs a 700-capacity mosque in nearby Halliwell Road.