Concern ex-pub in Batley Carr is being used illegally

Plans to turn the former Old Shoulder of Mutton pub in Halifax Road, Batley Carr, into an education centre were turned down last June amid road safety concerns.

But Coun Amanda Stubley (Lab, Batley East) said she had been told people were gathering at the ex-pub to use it as an Islamic education centre.

And a neighbour told the News that he had seen people coming and going in the early hours of the morning.

Coun Stubley said: “It’s obviously being used as a mosque, which is causing highway problems already.

“There is no consideration for planning law.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The Planning Authority are investigating a number of claims that the former public house is now being used for the purposes of education. “Once initial investigations are completed, officers will consider if necessary steps are required to ensure any breach in planning control is resolved.”

A planning application for the building to set up a training centre with 30 students going to classes between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week was refused in June last year.

Kirklees Council rejected the proposals on the grounds that it would lead to on-street parking, posing a safety risk.

At the time it was rejected, there had been five accidents in as many years at the junction.