Muslim group vows to work with Shrewsbury community

George Miah, chairman of the Shropshire Bangladeshi Welfare Society, also thanked members of public who supported the application to transform Column Lodge in Preston Street.

And he said the society would liaise with the local community and neighbours to alleviate any concerns ahead of the new prayer centre's opening.

He said: "We will work with the local community and neighbours and want to invite everyone to the opening.

"We are deeply, deeply indebted to everyone who has supported us."

The proposals to change the use of the council's former register office into a place of worship and day care centre were backed by a 7-2 majority at Shropshire Council's central planning committee yesterday.

The new centre will be open from 4am until 11pm during the summer months and 7am to 7pm during the winter months.

The majority of the time only five worshippers are expected to use the building, with a maximum of 50 expected for Friday afternoon prayers.

The building was sold to the society by Shropshire Council for £215,000.

They authority is also due to reach an agreement to allow worshippers to use an overspill car park on London Road during busy times.

But during yesterday's meeting, Sutton councillor Jon Tandy raised concerns about the proposed car park – saying the land belonged to Morris Property which had permission to build on it.

He said: "I am very, very concerned that if they build houses where are people going to park after that?"

But Councillor Andrew Bannerman dismissed parking concerns as a reason to refuse the application.

He said: "There are lots of churches in the town centre and lots of child care facilities which have no parking."

Councillor Jane Mackenzie, for Sutton ,said she had met with members of the society to discuss parking issues.

She said: "Approximately 50 worshippers attend the United Reformed Church on Friday afternoon, with most arriving on foot and 12 by car. The society expressed sensitivity about parking and will enforce their own measures to make sure visitors continue to walk to the new centre or use public transport."

Shropshire Council received 227 letters in support and 278 against the controversial application to change the use of Column Lodge. Earlier this week a petition by anti-racism group

Hope Not Hate in favour of the prayer centre was handed in at Shirehall – signed by more than 600 people.

During yesterday's meeting, Sutton resident of 25 years, Sue Challis, spoke in support of the proposals.

She said: "My community is very important to me and I support the application. Column Lodge was a very busy register office and I am pleased it will now be used as a community venue rather than a private, commercial venture."

Column Lodge will also be used as a day care centre for a maximum of 10 local children.