RESIDENTS are divided over plans to build a mosque and training school in Bolton.

A total of 22 people have lodged letters of objection to the proposed property, believing it will cause an increase in traffic and that the building on Gilnow Road, Bolton, would be intrusive.

Two petitions have been signed by local residents: one in support of the mosque has gathered 118 signatures, the one against has 62 names.

Councillors will visit the site before making a decision on whether to give the proposal the thumbs up.

The mosque and school would have a domed and pitched roof. The ground floor would be multi-purpose while the first floor would contain the main prayer hall.

Prayers would be held there five times a day before sunrise, lunchtime, late afternoon, sunset and late evening.

The current site is derelict and lies opposite a row of residential terraced houses.

The application, by minaj-ul-Quan masjid Aqsaa, has been recommended for refusal because the car parking provision is said fall way short of council requirements.

A decision will be made on December 19.