A former pub is to become a community education centre.

Arshad Naz will convert the former Jolly Sailor pub at Broad Lane in Dalton into an education centre for 12 children – but that figure is reduced from 30.

The plans divided the community – 97 letters of objection were submitted with a petition of 193 against while 33 were in support and 411 people signed a petition in support.

The matter was referred to Huddersfield’s Planning Committee by Dalton’s Clr Peter McBride who said there was a balance to strike in seeing the building brought back into use and tackling parking and congestion issues on the busy road.

Residents spoke at Thursday’s council meeting, raising concerns that it would become a mosque or madrassa and that the area did not need an education centre with local schools providing good education.

Mr Naz said they were “passionate” about providing classes such as IT and cookery.

Clr Mohan Sokhal said: “This building has been empty for many years – it’s right in the middle of the community. I think this building will be used for the benefit of local children.”

Clr Eric Firth asked if it could be used as a madrassa and he was told conditions could prevent that, while Clr Ken Sims said it was “a bit woolly” and Clr Donald Firth described the application’s content as “airy fairy”.

The plans request a change of use at basement and ground floors to an education centre with an apartment above.

The Jolly Sailor closed as a pub following financial difficulties.

It has been subjected to a number of applications over the years with the same applicant wanting to use it as a mosque but it never proceeded.

Councillors voted 12 to one to approve it with delegation to officers to set conditions about the operation hours and use.