Fears chronic congestion will turn to gridlock if Chew Moor village green becomes mosque car park

There have been 70 objections and 33 submissions of support for the proposal to create of privately owned car park with 19 car spaces for the former Chew Moor Methodist Church, St John’s Road.

The building is currently being used as a mosque, a change which did not require planning permission as that activity falls within the same use class as a place of worship.

The proposal would result in the loss of an area of unprotected green space and there are three trees which benefit from protection orders to the rear of the site.

A report on the plans has been produced for members of Bolton council’s planning committee ahead of a meeting on Thursday, November 6.

It said: “The application site is located to the north of the former Chew Moor Methodist Church.

“The use of the building remains as a place of worship for a different faith group.

“The area is unprotected green space on the west side of St John’s Road and has been used as an informal village green maintained by the previous occupants of the building.”

The 70 objections include some which point out the community use of the land under the previous owners.

One said: “The green space was an integral part of the village area and should be preserved. A community Christmas tree was removed to make way for the car park.”

Other concerns were put forward about the construction of the car park and increased traffic.

One objector, said: “The construction works will cause an obstruction for both pedestrians and traffic and will take a mental toll on residents.”

In the report planning officers addressed the previous community use of land.They said: “The application site is not an allocated village green; it is private land.

“The land was informally used as a green space and maintained by the previous owners of the place of worship.”

The council has received 33 letters of support of the plans.

One said: “The lack of designated parking presents a challenge for visitors to the place of worship.

“The proposed car park will ensure safe and convenient access preventing the need for parking on nearby streets causing disruption to local residents.

Another, said: “It will contribute positively to both the mosque’s congregation and the local community.

“By facilitating easier access, the mosque can continue to play a significant role in fostering community cohesion and cultural exchange.”

Ward councillor Andy Morgan has provided a written objection to the committee based on traffic and safety concerns.

He said: “The heart of my concern is a fundamental disregard for the traffic reality on St John’s Road.

“The highways officers state that the traffic impact will be ‘marginal’ and base their satisfaction ‘on the information provided’.

“This is unacceptable. It is abundantly clear that no highways officer has observed the traffic flow during genuine peak times, the morning and evening commutes, the school run, or other peak times.

“If they had, they would know that traffic through the village is already reduced to a standstill at these key periods.

“Introducing an access point for 19 vehicles at this specific location will only exacerbate this chronic congestion, turning delays into gridlock.”

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