An application has been submitted to the council to change a two-storey Grade II listed building, currently being used as an education centre, into a place of worship.

Applicant, Mr J Yaqoob, is wanting to change the old library on Booth Street in Nelson into a place of worship and submitted plans to Pendle Borough Council last week.

If approved, the place of worship would be open from 4am until 11pm every day.

A planning statement lodged with the council read: "The property is a two storey Grade II listed period building with a basement, situated at Booth Street, Nelson.

"The building was completed in the early 1900s and was officially opened in February 1908. The building is located close to the town hall in the centre of the town."

Lancashire Telegraph:

The site is currently being run by the IMAM Organisation, a registered charity whose purpose is to educate children and young adults.

The organisation provides education outside school hours in the evenings and weekends and due to increased demand from the community, the organisation has agreed to apply for a change of use so that the site could be used as a place of worship.

The statement went on to say: "The proposal will not adversely affect the local traffic management and the car parks because the centre will mainly be operated outside peak hours apart from mid-afternoon prayer.

"The congregations are generally small (10 to 20 people) at most prayer times apart from Friday prayer (once a week at mid afternoon) and Eid Prayers (only two occasions in a year).

"The facility will mainly be run by volunteers but there will be one full time employee.

"The number of children attending the facility is expected to be between 20 and 30 in early stages and is likely to rise between 50 to 60 students.

"The organisation has experienced adult volunteers that will be available to supervise the children.

"All these volunteers are DBS checked."

It is believed the proposed change of use will not result in any changes to the main fabric of the building nor will any additional space be created. 

The proposed change of use will not result in enlargement of the building footprint and therefore will not have any detrimental impact on the visual amenity, with the proposal not believed to result in any affect on the building's current appearance as no external extension works will be undertaken.

Consultation letters and notices have been sent out to neighbouring businesses and residents as well as Highways and a decision is expected to be made by the council's planning committee in due course. 

Anyone wishing to comment on the application should visit the council's website.