Ladybridge residents attend meeting over faith centre plans

Those living in the Ladybridge estate met with the developer behind the plans to turn the building, currently occupied by Lagan Restaurant, into the centre.

Applicant, Asif Patel, has bought out the precinct where the building is.

There is also  a doctor surgery, a pharmacy and a shop there too.

Mr Patel met with residents at Ladybridge Community Centre.

Also there were Cllr Anne Galloway, Alex Allen of Bolton Council's planning department, and three members of the Ladybridge Residents Association. 

It was chaired by Cllr Andy Morgan.

Residents largely raised concerns about the plans, although some did show support for it. 

Around 150 attended, with the meeting becoming heated at points when attendees disagreed on subjects or felt particularly passionate about their argument. 

One resident asked Mr Patel how he would guard against further losses of facilities, following the announcement that Lagan is set to go. 

Ladybridge Community Centre (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "As far as we are concerned, the doctors will stay." 

And said that this would be the case for the pharmacy and the shop. 

A question was also asked about a transport statement  as part of the application. 

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Alex Allen, development manager at the Bolton Council planning department, said: "Normally it is standard practice to have a full travel plan. The aim is to persuade people away from using cars. 

"But the statement is not necessarily required." 

The centre is planned to be where Lagan Restaurant currently stands (Image: Google Maps)

Questions were raised about the proposed CCTV in relation to the nearby school. The panel said that if planners deemed certain areas should not be recorded, they can be blocked. 

Another resident asked as to what commercial gain Mr Patel would make from the application. 

He responded: "We are not doing this on a matter of commercial success. We purchased the whole precinct, but this application is not for a commercial reason." 

Another resident raised concern about there being enough parking spaces. 

Mr Patel said: "Having 58 parking spaces doesn't mean it is what we need. Our preference would be for users of the centre to walk to the centre." 

In follow-up, Cllr Morgan asked: "The public are concerned about access to car parks, is there any intent to put a barrier in?" 

Plans for the site (Image: Bolton Council)

Mr Patel said: "The intention is to keep it as is, but with better markings." 

Cllr Galloway highlighted that patients at the surgery use the car park and suggested that maybe some bays could be marked only to be used for the surgery, to which he agreed that could possibly happen. 

A member of Masjid Ali at the edge of Ladybridge on Wigan Road spoke about the issues with traffic and parking. 

He said that members of his mosque who live on the estate would consider using the prayer room, and would be more likely to walk. He said this would therefore improve traffic issues around Dealey Road, which is near to Masjid Ali. 

Another local said: "I am a resident here and I have to get in my car to use the mosque. The majority of people using (the new prayer room) will be walking. 

"There are so many schools here, there is so much traffic. You go anywhere in Bolton at school pick up time, traffic is parked everywhere." 

One resident asked: “Will the centre be used for weddings and celebrations, things like that?” 

Mr Patel said they had “no intention” of doing so. 

Another question asked what the planning application meant by “first step” towards enhancing the precinct. 

He responded: “The first step means the precinct refurbishment and regeneration. 

“When you look at it, you want it to look better.” 

On being asked who would finance it, Mr Patel said “ourselves”, referring to the company he represented that is buying it.