A MULTI-million pound mosque to be built on the site of a former pub will serve the wider community, councillors heard.

Plans to built a £3.5 million mosque, community hall and nursery on the site of the former Brierfield Hotel pub were unanimously approved at Bolton Council’s planning committee meeting.

The Masjid-e-Salaam Madrassah Trust now has the green light to relocate from their current site 200 yards away on Ramsay Street to a new two-storey building on Blackburn Road, Sharples, Bolton.

The pub closed in February 2016 and was demolished last year.

The trust which runs the mosque says it will see a landmark building of ‘contemporary design which breaks away from the traditional eastern blueprint and will be a welcoming space for all’.

In supporting documents, the trust, said: “Our current space at Ramsay Street is a converted terraced house and is becoming an unsuitable and untenable venue for the growing attendance.

“This site offers opportunity to include a number of different uses that will enable the creation of a true community facility.

“The secondary educational use is aligned to the prayer facility and enables the schooling of the younger members of the community in the teachings of the Koran.

“There will also be a community hall and the nursery.”

The new mosque will have 42 spaces while the Ramsay Street building does not have any off road parking.

The committee heard 74 objections were received, many of which raised concerns about parking and highway safety.

There were also concerns about early and late hours of use for prayers and disturbance to neighbours.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: “It will not just be a mosque but a multi-use facility which we are sadly missing in Astley Bridge.

“It’s been a contentious application but I do feel the applicants have really listened and done everything possible to address concerns by residents.

“They’ve spent a long time trying to get it right.

“The building has been re-designed to fit in the the local streets and off-road parking has been maximised.

“I’m confident the measures put in place are enough to address any residents’ concerns.”

Councillors heard that the vast majority of those attending were within five minutes walking distance, that worshippers would be encouraged to walk and that parking stewards would be used at busy times.

Assurances were given to the committee that all activity at the current mosque site will stop once the new one opens.

Cllr Mudasir Dean said: “I think people that may have some reservations will be pleasantly surprised.

“Especially those long-standing residents that have been there when the pub was open and an entertainment venue.”

Speaking after the decision was made, Mohammed Patel, from the Masjid-e-Salaam Madrassah Trust, said: “We are pleased that the planning committee has approved our exciting plans for the former Brierfield site.

“The decision allows us to take the next steps in our plans for the purpose built premises that will cater for the our members and will also enable us to expand our community outreach work.

“We welcome the encouraging words from councillors on the committee, and look forward to welcoming our members and the wider community to our facility in the future.”