RESIDENTS fear noise nuisance and parking problems after Bolton Council gave permission for a church to extend its opening hours.

Horwich councillors had turned down the application for Horwich Christian Fellowship to extend its opening hours from 10am-8pm to 9am-9.30pm.

However, Bolton's planning committee overruled them in granting permission for the extension and residents of Rock Street and Tomlinson Street now fear they will have to put up with noise in the evenings and may have problems parking.

The new church in Rock Street has not yet been built, but residents are already upset that the opening hours have been extended without their feelings being taken into consideration.

A main concern is that the Fellowship, which used to meet in the Aenon Pentecostal Church in Chapel Street, gained planning permission in the first place on the grounds of change of use.

Even though the church group had started holding meetings at the Rock Street hall, the building was never officially a church and is only 20 feet away from the nearby houses.

Bolton's planning committee supported the application on the grounds that the church will provide facilities for young people and following another request from Fellowship leaders, the church will be able to open as early as 8am on any day.

Concerned resident Ron Coxson said: "It seems a long time for a church to open every day.

"Nobody around here wants the church really. We are interested in the parking issues.

"It is fine for Bolton to give permission, but they don't have to live here."

Cllr Barbara Ronson said: "Horwich councillors were against the application for lots of reasons and it is disappointing that Bolton has not recognised Horwich's concerns.

"We wanted the church to open and then review the opening hours at a later date.

"The church will be right next to the houses and that is a big concern. Residents have already had to put up with a lot during the building work." Locals

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