A RELIGIOUS trust which is converting a 200-year-old pub into a place of worship has submitted a bid to open as early as 4am.

The South Essex Islamic Trust was given the go-ahead to convert Barge Inn in Vange into “a place of worship and a community centre” in September.

The trust estimates that prayer sessions at the High Road centrel average a turnout of approximately 10 people during the week but on Fridays at 1 – 2 pm that number may swell to 100.

The Trust has submitted an application to Basildon Council to extend the opening hours to 4am – 12.30am, having originally been granted permission to open from 7am – 11pm.

The building is currently vacant with conversion works underway. The building until recently had single storey outbuildings which were demolished in October as part of the plans.

The council’s Environmental Health Services have warned against extending the opening hours due to it being a “highly built-up residential area”.

The service stated: “The period between 11pm and 7am is generally viewed as the night-time quiet period during which any noise above the background level has greater potential for causing a significant adverse impact.”

Council officers have recommended the proposals, which go before committee on June 8, are rejected.