Former pub to be converted into place of worship

Plans to convert a former pub in Sheffield into a place of worship have been approved.

The Old Hallcar Tavern in Burngreave, which has been closed since 2009, will be used as a community facility and faith centre in future.

The Afghan Community Association, which applied for planning permission for the two-storey building, said it would host Muslim prayers, community meetings and education sessions.

The group said the restoration would "breathe new life into the structure, ensuring it remains a proud symbol of community identity".

The group said the study space would allow community members to access religious and cultural texts and information.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the ground floor will be used as a communal area, with a meeting room, office space, a study, rest room and kitchen on the first floor.

Two bedrooms and a bath will be located on the second floor to provide temporary accommodation for caretakers and prayer leaders during their shifts.

The building will host prayers three times a day from 5am until 10pm.

The applicant also proposed to remove a store attached to the building to create more room for car parking.

The bar counters in the communal area will also be removed to create more space.

Recommending approval, planning officers at Sheffield City Council said the proposed alterations were "minor" and would have "a negligible impact upon the appearance of the site and wider area".

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