A COMMUNITY centre has been given temporary permission to stay open until 10pm, despite objections from neighbours who say it causes "traffic chaos" at weekends.

Objectors to the conversion of the former VMI building in Newton Street, Blackburn, into a community centre say during wedding receptions "the traffic nightmare was increased to an unbearable level".

The Kokni Muslim Association's scheme had been approved by planning committee councillors at Blackburn with Darwen Council against the advice of planning officers.

Letters from St Thomas' Area Residents association and other people living nearby objected strongly to the community centre, and an officers' report said the development would have "unacceptable adverse effects" on residents and said parking was a significant problem.

But councillors on the planning committee dismissed the recommendation and were meeting again to decide what conditions should be put on planning permission for the conversion. There could be noise limits and parking provision, as well as the restriction on the hours of use.

Coun Abdul Patel called on the committee to change the recommendation from 10pm to 10.30pm.

In their application the Kokni Muslim Association said the centre would be used for lunch clubs for the elderly, mother and toddler groups, welfare rights advice and indoor sports as well as weddings at the weekends, when up to 130 women and children will use the centre.

The application was made to allow for the cultural requirement that men and women be separated at functions. Coun Patel said a later closing time would give people time to leave the centre in a more orderly way. He said: "To safeguard the residents I think we should allow it to be extended so it will be peaceful and quiet after that time."

But Coun Peter Greenwood called for it to be 9pm. He said the residents had been "badly let down" and the area was "totally taken over" when weddings took place there.

He added: "No consideration has been given to the residents' amenities or quality of life."

Councillors voted in favour of the original proposal to allow the centre to open between 9am and 10pm. This will be reviewed by the planning committee in six months.