RESIDENTS have failed in their last ditch attempt to stop a "super mosque" planned for Daubhill.

Protesters had tried to stop the controversial Peace Street mosque by objecting to the closure of a footpath running across the site.

But Transport Secretary Sir George Young today agreed that Can Row and part of Cannon Street can be blocked off.

A public inquiry was was held at Bolton town hall after the Birkdale Gardens Tenants and Residents Association objected to the planned closure.

They claimed the support of the local community which they said would be inconvenienced if the popular short cut to Derby Street was built on.

Supporters of the mosque also claimed the support of the local community and told the inquiry that the Islamic Cultural Centre was an urgently needed facility which could not go ahead unless the footpath on their land was closed.

In his report to the Government, inspector Dr John Ritchie said: "It is clear that the development would benefit a substantial proportion of the local residents and many in the wider area.

"In my view, these benefits substantially outweigh the small inconvenience to all local residents of the proposed stopping-up of the former Cannon Street footway."

Dr Ritchie suggested the closure order be delayed until building started but the Secretary of State decided there was no reason to wait.

Both agreed the council should upgrade western pavement to Cannon Street next to the junction with the Back Unsworth Street South.

The mosque has been the subject of major rows in the area and the council were recently given a rap across the knuckles by the local government Ombudsman for the way they handled the original planning application.

But after looking at all the additional information, councillors granted planning permission for a second time

The latest move means work can start as soon as backers of the super mosque want to start.

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