Ladybridge: Developer outlines positives of new prayer room

It was recently announced that Lagan Restaurant will close later this year after the building it occupies was bought out. 

Now, plans have been submitted to Bolton Council for it to be turned into a prayer room, as well as an educational establishment during the day. 

Residents have raised concerns that traffic issues would be exacerbated, with three schools already in the area, as well as noise concerns and being unhappy at the loss of the restaurant. 

However, the new owner of the building says that the facility is "needed" and a positive thing. 

It would open from 7am to 7pm during winter and 4.15am to 11.30pm during summer, spanning five prayer periods daily. 

Asif Patel, who is behind the application, said: "A lot of people pray on Ladybridge. Myself and other residents live here and drive to other prayer rooms, whereas this prayer room will be in walking distance. 

"We did a survey and most of the residents of Ladybridge only have to walk 400 yards to get there. As part of our religion, it is better if we walk to prayers. It also reduces carbon footprint. 

"We are not going to do prayers between 3pm-3.30pm to avoid school pick up time. I live in Ladybridge and have done for 35 years.

"If I come out at that time, there are cars blocking my drive. Which school in England doesn't have parking problems during pick up and drop off time?" 

Speaking about the issue of noise, he said: "If it is inside, it is not disturbing anyone. For people travelling to it, there are about five per cent at morning prayer compared to other times of day. 

"Part of the noise survey considered that it won't affect residents. It is a public car park, how can anyone stop people from coming between 4-5am now. 

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"Residents are aware the car park attracts drug dealing and antisocial behaviour.

"I recently spoke to a GMP inspector to ask if there are problems with drug dealing and antisocial behaviour around mosques and prayer rooms, but when more people are using it more frequently you get less of those issues." 

He added: "We will also be teaching classes, teaching children British values and more, how to integrate and what your obligations are as a Muslim to society, it is a positive not a negative. 

"There is a massive Muslim community in Ladybridge, it is increasing day by day, and there is a need for this." 

Plans for the site (Image: Bolton Council)

Ward councillor Andy Morgan said: "It is causing great division on the estate, some want it and some don't. There are going to be no winners, but it's about managing expectations. 

"Whatever the decision is, we want them to live happily and carry on living happily on the estate. 

"It is a huge issue. There is a school literally next door to the site and two more up the hill, so traffic is already quite extensive during peak times. 

"But it is the same where any school is in Bolton." 

He added: "Major concerns are highways and congestion. The application offers CCTV and lighting on the car parks. 

"I don't know whether it is sufficient enough for residents. I would encourage all residents for or against to make their views known. 

"We as ward councillors had the consultation period extended twice because of the public interest. 

"We are delivering leaflets to houses to get as many people aware of what is going on, so they can get as much information to make as balanced a decision as possible." 

The consultation closes on February 28. To make views on this application heard, visit the Bolton Council planning portal and use reference number 17435/24, then go onto the 'comments' heading. 

Cllr Morgan says residents can also make their views heard through ward councillors by contacting them. 

Lagan

One resident, who wished not to be named, said: "There is already a prayer room at the entrance of the estate. 

"The car parks are used by residents when they can't park on the street, and it is for patrons of the shops. 

"There has been a planning notice sent out to the area around it but not the entire estate - but it does affect the entire estate. 

The resident added: " On the plans they are anticipating no more than 100 people, they can't monitor that as people can come from anywhere to use it. 

"Also the restaurant, close to being there for 20 years, is being moved."