PLANS have been submitted to turn a Bournemouth building into a place of worship.

Kehilas Adas Yisroel Bournemouth Limited has applied to planning officials to make changes to property on 21 Knole Road.

The alterations would include a three storey extension and a change of use of premises to a place of worship.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said: "The property as it currently exists is arranged with a number of self-contained flats and a number of ‘flatlets’ which are smaller flats with cooking facilities but shared bathrooms.

"Planning permission has recently been granted for alterations, three storey extension and creation of two additional flats.

"That application has been approved but not implemented.

"The current proposals seek to make identical alterations and additions to result in the same built form that has already been considered acceptable.

"The proposal is for a change of use of the altered and extended building to form a place of worship and specifically as a synagogue."

Developers added that the proposed use of the new building is minimum impact and will not result in any harm.

The statement said: "The proposed place of worship is to operate as a synagogue. This use is an important distinction between other types of place of worship because worshippers attend on foot

and will live locally so that they are within walking distance of the synagogue.

"Moreover, the main times of worship will not conflict with the primary school or the nearby church.

"The number of trips during weekdays will be low and on Saturdays the number will be, I am advised, on average 30 persons."

The property would be operated by a group of worshippers who currently share facilities with the main town centre synagogue.

The proposed plans show a maximum seating arrangement for 160 persons. However, the developer says the typical weekly congregation will be significantly lower.