CONTROVERSIAL community centre plans are going ahead with the backing of Leigh's Police chief.

But the scheme hasn't gone down well with everyone in the Plank Lane area.

This week Plank Lane Action Now Club's (PLANC) application to convert two homes in Mount Street, Leigh in to a community house got the nod from planners.

The vacant semis will be converted to provide a meeting place for social gatherings, mother and toddler group sessions, an outside play area and surgery space for police and local councillors.

Police Supt Mary Vaisnys, head of Leigh sub-division, told council planners who determined the application, she fully backed community bobby PC Steve Ridsdale's support for the project.

She said: "Both he and responsible members of the local community have worked hard to forge a link between the police and the estate. I feel there is a real community spirit emerging and would give my support to the project."

PC Ridsdale had told planners: "The project will be fully supported by the police and every effort will be made to ensure it runs without any detriment to the local residents."

Cllr Brian Thomas also supports the scheme: "I think it will be beneficial -- community centres on estates like this are needed."

But Mount Street resident Tim Knott is one of a group of objectors angered by the proposals. "Local people have been ignored."