Families have lost their fight to stop a property near their homes being used as a school where Asian youngsters can be taught prayers and learn about their culture.

Bradford Area Planning Panel gave permission for the building in Coventry Street, Bowling, Bradford, as a supplementary school.

Officers told members two petitions containing a total of 187 signatures had been received objecting to the plan.

But a 129-signature petition in favour of the school had also been received.

Residents living nearby who had opposed the project said after the meeting they were disgusted by the decision.

The school will take classes of children from the age of three to 18 every day of the week.

It will be set up in existing two-storey end terraced properties currently comprising an empty ground floor shop and flat above.

Residents protested about the likelihood of increased traffic, leading to congestion, parking problems and danger to pedestrians.

Officers told the committee that Muslim families lived within walking distance of the property and they believed it was unlikely to cause much noise and disturbance.

One objector Christopher Holt, who lives nearby, said Coventry Street was a private cul-de-sac which already had serious parking problems.

Councillor Latif Darr (Lab, Little Horton) said he had sympathy with the residents

"But it is a facility which will take children off the streets and gives them something to work on. They will be taught not only religion but how to respect older people."

The panel gave planning permission for the scheme with the condition that it should only be used as a supplementary school, with use restricted to 8.30am to 9pm daily.

Council officers were instructed by the panel to monitor the area for any traffic problems when the school opened.

Meanwhile, Residents who appealed for a "bit of peace" lost their bid to stop Greystoke House, Highfield Road, Idle being converted into a venue for wedding ceremonies.

The panel approved an application for the conversion of the building for civil ceremonies with a condition limiting opening from 8am to midnight. A marquee on the site will also be restricted for use between 8am and 7pm.

Jeffrey Hepworth who spoke on behalf of the residents told the panel: "Surely residents are entitled to a bit of peace. Many have to get up early in the morning to go to work."

But Ken Buckley, managing director of Sporting Lodge Inns Ltd, which owns the former Baron Hotel, said: "The only thing different is that people would be getting married there. The marquee would only be used in summer and there would be no music in it."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.