AN EMPTY warehouse could be turned into a Hindu temple for up to 100 families who have nowhere to worship.

Hindu priest Gowrisankar Sellappa, who is behind the plans for the unit in Southchurch Road, Southend, said worshippers currently have to drive to London to pray.

The proposed new temple would feature a worship room on the ground floor, along with a small office, kitchen and bathrooms.

The first floor, which is currently offices, would be used for storage.

The existing 12 parking spaces would remain.

Mr Sellappa said: “There are so many families here that don’t have somewhere to worship. The Hindu temple would mean families wouldn’t have to travel too far to worship.

“It would be for prayer and there would be 20 to 25 people regularly and up to 100 in festival time.

“We are waiting to see if the council gives us planning permission.”

While there is already a Hindu temple - the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - in nearby Queensway, Southend, there is no dedicated place of worship in Essex for the south Indian branch of the religion.

Russell Munro, a senior architectural consultant for BGA Architects, based in Progress Road, Eastwood, who has helped design the proposed warehouse conversion, said: “There is a fairly large community locally and they don’t have anywhere to worship so they were looking for somewhere.

“They stumbled across the space in Southend and have put a planning application into Southend Council.

“Although there would only be about 20 people worshipping there on a regular basis, I think there are a good 100 families in the area that on occasion would visit the temple.”

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy in Southend, welcomed the plans.

She said: “We are a multi-faith nation and if there is a need for it I can understand putting an application in for it.

“If it is successful, I hope lots of people use it.”

The application will be decided by Southend Council next month.