The expansion of a Thai Buddhist temple onto what was once a golf course was approved by Bolton Council.

The proposals for the Wat Sriratanaram site on Moss Lane were submitted to the authority almost a year ago.

Once a clubhouse of Manor Golf Club, then a restaurant called Amaya Indian Eatery, it became a Thai Buddhist temple around six years ago to accommodate a congregation which was too big for its home at a house in Wythenshawe.

The old plans in 2016 applied to the clubhouse alone, not to what was once the golf course.

READ MORE: Farnworth: Bid for homes at Century Mill site approved.

The new plans involve an expansion onto the Green Belt land to allow for the creation of spaces for meditation and recreation, as well as gardening and grazing.

Paul Heslop, a Kearsley Ward councillor, was in support of the proposals when he spoke to The Bolton News at the start of this year.

Cllr Heslop said: "A lot of people want to visit Kearsley. They come from all around to visit and it seems we've got a few of these various religious places which help to bring people in.

"I see it as a positive, there have never been any concerns raised by local residents about the temple so we'd see this as a positive move."

READ MORE: Bolton communities to take ownership of community centres.

A report to the Director of Place, Jon Dyson, recommended the application for approval. It was not referred to the planning committee.

And its approval was confirmed in a planning notice signed by Mr Dyson on December 12.

The report reads: "[The National Planning Policy Framework] states 'certain other forms of development are not inappropriate in the Green Belt provided they preserve its openness and do not conflict with the purposes of including land within it'.

"The change of use of golf course area into temple grounds would not have a material impact on the openness of the Green Belt. Therefore, the principle of the development is supported."