Church to mosque plan is backed

The outside of the building will not be substantially changed

A Grade II listed former Lincoln church could be turned into a mosque after city planners backed the move.

St Matthew's on Boultham Park Road has been empty after structural problems and low attendances saw it placed on the city's buildings and risk register.

The timber and corrugated iron building dates from 1912.

The Islamic Association of Lincoln has already bought the church and has said it will make it safe. The city council will consider the plan on Wednesday.

Planners are recommending the council to approve the work because they said it will keep the building in a use similar to that for which it was intended, and will have very little effect on its outside appearance.

Some nearby residents have objected to the plans because they said local roads could become congested.

The current conversion plan includes 11 off-road parking spaces.