SCHOOL staff and parents are protesting about plans to turn a factory into a community centre.

Trustees of Masjid E Rizwan Muslim organisation want to convert the factory, which used to make vending machine products, for use as a centre for women's activities, receptions, the elderly, educational needs, advisory services and sporting activities.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council planning bosses are advising councillors to refuse permission for the scheme in Newton Street, Audley.

Staff and parents at St Thomas' CE Primary School in Newton Street have written to the council saying: "It is essential that emergency services have access to St Thomas' at all times as we have more than 450 school children in the school with 30 members of staff.

"Additional parking on Newton Street can only have a detrimental effect on our ability to keep the children healthy and safe."

Residents of nearby Pendle Street wrote: "Most of the residents of Pendle Street are elderly or disabled. The extra people will bring more noise, more vehicles and more litter and this is unacceptable.

"Most of the visitors come from out of town and do not give any consideration to the local population."

Letters have also been sent to the town hall in support of the conversion, including one from the Lancashire Council of Mosques.

Planning experts have advised against the conversion of the building because of the effect large gatherings would have on the nearby community and also because of inadequate parking spaces in the area.

The matter will be discussed tomorrow by the planning committee.

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