AN EMPTY office block in could be transformed into a place of worship if plans are given the green light on Thursday (January 21), despite a negative response from neighbours. 

Plans put to Bracknell Forest Council, would see the office, unit seven of the Forest Park business units, in Horndean Road, converted into an Islamic Centre temporarily for two years. 

The town's Islamic Cultural Society, who are behind the proposal, hope to use the space for prayers, with five prayer sessions a day, attracting between five and 10 people at a time, between 3am and 11pm in the summer and 6pm and 11pm in the winter, with each session lasting between 30 minutes and an hour. 

However, 16 letters of objections have been lodged by neighbours as well as separately from Winkfield Parish Council.

The council's worries are that the choice of location is unsuitable, parking will be a problem and "unsociable hours would cause noise nuisance" due to its close proximity to a residential area. 

Mrs Tracey Hedgecox, submitting an objection for Age Concern, based in neighbouring unit eight, raised concerns that the "frequent comings and goings" would be disruptive, adding "this is an office building, not a community facility or place or worship".

Mr John Paterson, writing on behalf of neighbouring business, Bracknell Foot Clinic, which offers chiropody and podiatry services, run from unit six, has expressed the same fears, adding that he would "feel very uncomfortable knowing people are accessing the unit at 2am in the morning" given the clinic's large amount of equipment. 

Other letters, mostly received from residents of nearby Worlds End Hill, argue the development would create traffic implications for Savernake Road, the area is "busy enough", parking is insufficient and if the community of the church were to grow, the area would become even busier.

They also raise concerns of a security risk if people were to access the building out of normal office hours, that other businesses would have to "amend their normal practices to avoid disturbing others during prayers or contemplation", times of worship could "clash with activities at the Forest Park Community Centre", could lead to vandalism and antisocial behaviour and could lead to activities such as weddings and fundraisers - which a planning officer has disputed. 

Another resident has challenged the need for a "mosque" in Bracknell, which was also refuted by the council's planning team.