RESIDENTS fear that a planned Hindu religious centre could turn a residential street into an accident blackspot.

Neighbours have organised a petition against proposals for the Shree Kutch Hindu Mandir centre in Tong Road, Little Lever.

Applicant Govind Naran says the premises will become a cultural centre for religious teaching and learning the mother tongue.

But residents are also writing individual letters of objection to the town hall to try and stop the semi-detached house being converted.

May Barlow, who lives opposite the proposed religious centre, said that residents were worried about increased traffic on an already dangerous road.

She said: "There have been numerous crashes on this stretch of road, with four crashes recently over just one weekend.

"There's no space for car parking and many residents can't leave their cars outside their homes."

Residents are worried that the two-storey building could be eventually be transformed into a temple.

But Mr Naran said: "I don't want residents to get the wrong idea because this is not a temple, but a place of worship where people will be taught about Hindu culture.

"There will not be 50 cars pulling up outside, and I want to assure residents that the centre will be on a very small-scale."

Mr Naran added that a Hindu teacher could be flown in from abroad and allowed to live in the two-storey building.

The centre will only accommodate two worshippers at any one time, between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Mr Naran wants young Asians to visit the centre in a bid to get them off the streets.

Neighbours are also questioning whether there are enough young Asians in Little Lever to make the centre viable.

Mrs Barlow added: "There are not enough Asians living in the village and people will be travelling from outside the area in cars."

Planning councillors are expected to consider the application later this month.

RESIDENTS fear that a planned Hindu religious centre could turn a residential street into an accident blackspot.

Neighbours have organised a petition against proposals for the Shree Kutch Hindu Mandir centre in Tong Road, Little Lever.

Applicant Govind Naran says the premises will become a cultural centre for religious teaching and learning the mother tongue.

But residents are also writing individual letters of objection to the town hall to try and stop the semi-detached house being converted.

May Barlow, who lives opposite the proposed religious centre, said that residents were worried about increased traffic on an already dangerous road.

She said: "There are numerous crashes on this stretch of road, with four crashes recently over just one weekend.

"There's no space for car parking and many residents can't leave their cars outside their homes."

Residents are worried that the two-storey building could be eventually be transformed into a temple.

But Mr Naran said: "I don't want residents to get the wrong idea because this is not a temple, but a place of worship where people will be taught about Hindu culture.

"There will not be 50 cars pulling up outside, and I want to assure residents that the centre will be on a very small-scale."

Mr Naran added that a Hindu teacher could be flown in from abroad and allowed to live in the two-storey building.

The centre will only accommodate two worshippers at any one time, between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Mr Naran wants young Asians to visit the centre in a bid to get them off the streets.

Neighbours are also questioning whether there are enough young Asians in Little Lever to make the centre viable.

Mrs Barlow added: "There are not enough Asians living in the village and people will be travelling from outside the area in cars."

Planning councillors are expected to consider the application later this month.