A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to turn a former bakery into a religious school for Muslim children with learning difficulties is back on the agenda.

Last month Blackburn with Darwen planning committee deferred a decision on the proposal after an objection by a neighbour.

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Councillors asked Zubair Mangera to give further details of his bid to create a special needs educational madrassah in the vacant shop on Railway Grove, Little Harwood.

Neighbour K J B Quinn objected to the proposal claiming it would create too much disturbance for local residents.

Mr Mangera’s revised application to turn the former ‘Scrumptious Snacks’ premises into an Islamic school for children with special educational needs will be considered by the committee on Thursday. It is the third time he has tried to get approval for the proposal.

Mr Mangera has promised to limit use of the new madrassah to manageable proportions to minimise traffic and parking problems.

He tells the councillors there is no madrassah at the nearby Masjid-E-Sajedeen Islamic Centre and no conflicting activities there, freeing the mosque car park for dropping off and collecting children.

Mr Quinn tells councillors his views on the revised application have not changed and the madrassah would create ‘chaotic and dangerous’ traffic problems on surrounding residential streets.

Planning officers recommend councillors approve the planning application with tight restrictions on hours of use.

They will be from 5.15pm to 7.15pm Mondays to Fridays and 11.30am to 4pm on Saturdays.

Mr Mangera proposes to use ground floor only for three study areas with a kitchen, office and staff room on the first floor.

The application makes clear the children will have learning difficulties rather than mobility problems so do not need to be dropped off outside the front door.