PLANS to transform Swindon’s oldest working men’s club into an Islamic centre have been approved.

The former Gorse Hill Working Men’s Club will now be converted into a meeting point for the Al Habib Islamic Educational and Cultural Centre of Swindon (AHIECCS).

At a planning committee meeting on Tuesday night some residents spoke out against the plans.

Clive Hunt said: “Our main concern is the amount of Parking in the area when there are functions and events at the weekends.”

David Morris added that a survey of 184 homes in three nearby streets found that 144 were against the plans.

He said: “An awful lot of people are very much against having a change of use and the main reason was parking.

“There might be a small number using the centre at the moment but I appreciate that Islam is a fast-growing religion and more people could start coming in the future.”

But Coun Sinead Darker said she was in support of the plans.

“I think it is a very good use of a community building and there could be a much worse impact on the community,” she said.

“Parking is a concern but it is not sufficient to refuse it.”

Councillors noted that Al Habib had offered to make a £10,000 financial contribution towards the maintenance of local car parks.

The group had also offered to hire the main hall out to the general public for events, although alcohol will not be served in it.