AN ISLAMIC education and community centre has been given the green light to open on the site of a dilapidated social club.

Trustees of the charity Hudhayfah bin Al-Yamaan Islamic Centre (MHbAY) were delighted last night as Waltham Forest council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead for them to change the use of the site.

The centre will provide education and classes for the community but will also facilitate prayer, according to its trustees who say they are passionate about making a change in Waltham Forest.

Trustee Adeel Yasin addressed the committee last night.

He said: “All of the trustees are young, British born, locally raised who got together about two years ago because we want to make a difference in this community.

“This project came about because we want to make a positive change in our area.”

Mr Yasin spoke about how the site was purchased in August 2014 through donations and fundraising.

The site had been used as a Royal British Legion social club from 1948, but was closed in 2013.

Photographs of the site show it was badly run down and in need of repairs, before it was purchased by MHbAY a year ago.

In the council chamber, last night, chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Stuart Emmerson supported the plans.

He said: “We have to support the diversity in our borough and I see no issue with this.

“It is a shame these social clubs are struggling to survive – but it seems to me this project will breathe new life into the centre.”

Conditions were agreed stating the back entrance onto Melford Road may only be used in emergencies and no more than 185 people may use the centre at any one time.

Prayer would be undertaken by people at the charity “at times informed by Islamic tradition” the leaders said.

This would be five times per day, for a total of 45 minutes, or a cumulative total of 315 minutes per week.

Section 106 money will also be agreed to a suggested sum of £15,000 towards traffic management in the area.

Trustees said they will respect the travel management plans and do not intend on causing traffic problems for their neighbours.

The plans were unanimously agreed.

Two buildings on the site will be joined by the committee to make a larger space as there is currently a courtyard in the middle.

A statement from the trustees was released on Twitter shortly after, stating: “We are pleased to announce that with the grace of Allah, the planning committee of Waltham Forest have approved out application.

“Maasha’Allah tabarakallah we are now able to start planning to offer all the services we have spoken about over the last two years including Islamic education and a place of worship.”