Hundreds protest at Portobello worship centre plan
More than 400 residents are objecting to plans for a place of worship and community centre on the site of a former pub, amid fears over extra traffic.
It is being planned for the site of the now empty Long Acres pub in Dilloways Lane, Portobello, on the Walsall-Wolverhampton border.
A change of use for the land has been put forward but led to concerns from neighbours over the number of vehicles coming and going in the area.
However, councillors are being recommended to approve the application when they meet next month.
Mother-of-two Dorothy Parton, of the Broadlands estate, said petitions have been launched and more than 400 people have so far expressed opposition.
There are fears over vehicles in Dilloways Lane and the surrounding streets as scores of people attend the likes of weddings and funerals there.
She said: "The issue isn't the temple. It is purely the traffic.
"It needs developing – there is no doubt about it – but nobody is taking in the concerns of what people are actually saying.
"There would be a lot of extra traffic. It is also a safety issue as there could be accidents."
The change of use will see the building serve as primarily a place of worship, but also as a community centre providing facilities such as day care for the elderly, education classes and leisure activities.
The proposed development includes extensions to the building and the creation of 67 parking spaces. Opening hours will be between 8am and 8pm.
Applicant Kuldip Bansal says weddings and funerals are not anticipated to be frequent or attended by large numbers.
In a report to councillors on March 5, head of planning at Wolverhampton City Council, Stephen Alexander, says: "The proposed number of parking spaces is sufficient and it is anticipated that traffic levels generated by the development are likely to be similar to that of a pub, but for fewer hours and at more social hours."
