PLANS to turn a former pub into a community centre and mosque have been approved by a planning committee.

But double yellow lines will need to be added to the road outside the centre before it is allowed to open.

The application to convert the Horse and Farrier into a facility that will be called the Iqra Centre was submitted by S Rahman earlier this year.

The plans said the redevelopment of the building would include a prayer hall, community space and rooms for educational programmes.

The plans had proved controversial – 408 people had objected to the application, raising concerns ranging from traffic congestion to noise from any call to prayer.

However, a further 540 people wrote to the Council in favour of the plans, saying it would provide a useful facility for the community.

The plans went before Bradford Council’s Bradford Planning Panel on Wednesday morning.

Members heard that the applicants had agreed not to have any speakers for calls to prayer.

Planning officers said the building could have a maximum occupancy of around 200 people, but the large car park already on the site meant there was adequate parking.

Councillor Sabiya Khan (Lab, Wibsey) said: “Could we encourage people to walk to the mosque?”

Planning officer Amin Ibrar replied: “It is very difficult for us through the planning process to make people walk somewhere. We have to be realistic – people will drive to places. Although I’d hope people living nearby would walk rather than drive here from the other side of the road.”

Members heard from one objector, who said traffic on the road was bad enough as it is. Forty cars leaving the site at once could cause major issues, he claimed.

Committee member Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said: “Bolton and Undercliffe is poorly served by community centres. The ones that are there are run by religious groups such as the Church of England.”

Officers said that one condition of any approval would be that double yellow lines should be placed on the junction of Kings Road and Farriers Croft to prevent any traffic issues from visitors parking on the street.

The time it would take for the traffic order to be implemented was not in the hands of the planning department, members heard. The order would have to be proposed, then undergo a public consultation before the double yellow lines could be installed at the junction.