A new community centre could be created in Frenchwood in a former shop.

The building at the junction of Carlton Drive and The Boulevard has seen plans lodged to convert it into a community hub.

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The Boulevard Community has asked for permission to change the use of what used to be a local store.

A Justgiving page has been set up for the project – to be called The Boulevard Community Centre – with the target of raising £165,000. Just over £8,000 has been raised so far.

A spokesman for the project said: “Nestled in between lower Frenchwood and Walton-Le-Dale is a growing Muslim community. We aim to become a hub for the wider community by helping to enrich the people within it. Being a diverse and forward thinking group we wish to create community cohesion at all levels and various age groups amongst people from all faiths and backgrounds. This will be a fully fledged charity committed to educating both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities about the true Islamic message of peace and tolerance.

“We are looking to purchase a property within the area to help fulfil the spiritual needs of the local residents and provide services for all communities within the area.”

Read more: Spending a morning with the Sisters4Sisters group in Frenchwood

The Boulevard plans have received the backing of Preston city centre councillor Drew Gale and county councillor Yousuf Motala.

Cllr Gale said: “I believe it will be a much used and valuable community facility, one I will make use of as and when required for public meetings, councillor surgeries and other formal business.

Cllr Motala writes: “I also feel that the Greater Boulevard area is in desperate need for a community facility/hub, that would potentially benefit many local residents, as a local facility is a much needed resource for local people within the area, specifically as the one that you are proposing would be prepared to offer and provide opportunities for residents
to engage in a range of activities that would greatly benefit them in the long term and as such assist in helping to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of local people.”

The proposals for the community centre show it potentially operating from 6am to 10pm each day.

Nearby residents have already begun raising objections to the proposals, with one saying it was ‘for a mosque posing as a community centre’.

Read more: Preston retains consultants to aid city centre redevelopment plans

Another said they had allegedly been quoted as being in support of the application, but they understood it was being converted into a residential property and not a community centre.

Full plans can be seen on the city council website and comments can be left there.

What do you think of the Boulevard community centre plans? Do you live in the area? Let us know in the comments below