THURROCK Council planning officers have rejected an application to turn a former Grays office building into a place of worship.

Last month Thurrock Nub News reported on an application by the Taleem Foundation to change the use of the office block on Clarence Road which it currently uses as Islamic school. However, in a delegated decision planning officers say they will not permit the change.

The application was for a certificate of lawfulness for the change of use, but officers say such a change could only be approved by the Foundation submitting a full planning application.

They have told the Foundation owners: "The premises/building shall only be used education and training purposes and for no other purpose in the interests of amenity and to ensure that the development remains integrated with the immediate surroundings.

As a consequence, the proposed change of use from the lawful education training centre to use the building as place of worship and non-residential institution would require the submission of a planning application."