A DERELICT park building is set to be transformed into a community and education centre.

Planning officers have approved plans to convert the former park-keepers’ lodge within the grounds of Heywood Park in Great Lever.

The proposals were submitted by Bolton Oromo Academy and Education Centre.

The group represents people from the Oromo community in Ethiopia, many of whom have gained settlement in the town via refugee status.

It currently has a permanent registered membership of 150 people and the community is subjected to make a mandatory meeting once a month.

Part of its work involves providing a “supportive and welcoming environment” for young people, while helping them to feel a part of the community.

Education, training and support is provided within an Islamic, faith-based environment whilst emphasising the importance of integration, civic duty and community cohesion.

The group currently operates out of space in Farah House, Cannon Street, but the new base will be closer to where a lot of its members live.

The facility will incorporate an office, two classrooms, a community and counselling room, as well as a meeting room.

Among the activities proposed are support for young people experiencing home, school and social issues, as well as football, golf, horse riding, go karting, a homework club and career guidance and mentoring.

It will be run by one full-time member of staff and several part-time volunteers.

Approving the plans, a planning officer wrote: “The proposal is not considered to have any adverse impact on neighbouring amenity, highways safety or the character of the area, and is compatible with the surrounding vicinity and seeks to improve the education facilities within the locality in accordance with both local and national policies.”

In the application it was proposed that the centre would be open from 7.30am-11pm seven days a week, but a planning officer has decided one of the conditions is to reduce the opening hours to 8am-10pm in order to “safeguard the living conditions of residents and the amenity and character of the area with regard to noise and/or disturbance.”

Abdi Majit, Bolton Oromo Academy and Education Centre, said: “We’re very happy that we have the permission.

“Quite a bit of work needs to be done to the building to refurbish it all and that could take a few months.”