PLANNING chiefs have agreed to allow Warrington Islamic Association to carry on using part of a former school gymnasium as a place of worship – regularising a situation which has existed for more than 10 years.
The borough council’s planning committee has approved a part retrospective application for a change of use of the gymnasium at the former Bewsey School, in Lockton Lane, Bewsey.
The northern half of the building has been used as a place of worship since 2000, with the Islamic Association leasing the property from the council.
But the southern half of the building has been used as a community hall and sports hall, owned and run by the council, and open to the general public.
The Islamic Association is in the process of purchasing the whole building from the council and will continue to run the community hall for the general public.
Only minor changes to the structure are envisaged.
The Islamic Association has some 500 members and special Friday prayers attract about 150 people.
Other prayer meetings take place five times a day and last between five and 20 minutes.
The committee was told the building has been used as a place of worship and community centre for the last 10 years.
The change of use will regularise the situation, allowing daily prayers to take place and allowing elderly people, women and other smaller Arab, Pakistani, Libyan communities to meet regularly. The development will enable increased cultural integration between the Islamic and non-Muslim community.
Local residents have been consulted and will be invited to regular meetings with the association.
The council agreed last year to sell the former school to the Islamic Association for less than its market value after hearing the building is in need of extensive repairs, likely to cost in the region of £196,000.
PLANNING chiefs have agreed to allow Warrington Islamic Association to
carry on using part of a former school gymnasium as a place of worship -
regularising a situation which has existed for more than 10 years.
Plans go-ahead for Islamic Association
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
