IT is with utter disbelief that I write to you concerning the planning application to turn a madrassa into a mosque at 4, Ramsay Street, Astley Bridge, Bolton.

The application has been given the go-ahead, despite a record number of letters of objection received -- 60 plus.

I was assured on several occasions by Councillor Stuart Lever that this level of objection would, in his words, "bury the application". Obviously this has not been so.

I would like to know whether any of these letters were read and considered, as it certainly appears that they were never even looked at. It appears that minority views are taking precedence over majority opinions.

With two mosques already within a two-mile radius, and another one currently being built on Sutcliffe Street, why on earth is there any need for a further one in the same area?

The item in the BEN on Saturday, August 4, stated that the worshippers would go on foot to the mosque in order to ease parking problems. If this is the case, surely they are able to walk to the other mosques situated on Blackburn Road and Halliwell Road? There are also adequate bus services.

With regard to the parking problems on Ramsay Street, they have been ongoing since the building was first used and, since last weekend, when the application was accepted, the problem has escalated, as the promise to go on foot has not been kept.

I just feel very strongly that the councillors who were on the planning committee, most of whom live elsewhere in the borough and therefore will not be affected by their decision, are supposed to be elected by local people to represent local people's views. In this case, they most certainly have not, after all.

Wouldn't you say that 60 plus letters of objection are representative of local people's views and opinions?

I am also concerned that, as a result of this, the value of my property will plummet by £15,000. Will the council reimburse me this should I sell my house? If I wanted a house worth £15,000 less than my own, then I would have purchased one nearer the existing mosques.

This is the fourth time that this application has gone to committee. The decision made by the Home Office at the original application stage has been disregarded.

I await an anticipated response from other local residents and the councillors on the planning committee.

An Irate Resident

(name and address supplied)