‘An unusual form of development’: Accommodation for a dozen Buddhist monks planned near Bolton

A Buddhist monastery operating from a former golf course in Kearsley plans to welcome monks visiting from Thailand

Plans have been submitted for blocks to house monks at a Thai Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Bolton. The Wat Sriratanaram temple and monastery, Moss Lane, Kearsley, was created in 2016 at the former clubhouse of Manor Golf Club.

Recently submitted, retrospective plans published by Bolton council, seek to formalise the erection of ‘temporary monk accommodation, including people visiting from Thailand’.

A design and access statement, published in support of the plans, said: “The proposal will provide temporary overnight accommodation for up to 12 monks at any one time.

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“The accommodation has been formed from the conversion of three metal steel storage containers which have been linked together in a u-shape to form basic overnight accommodation for visiting monks including showers and toilets.

“The buildings are situated on a raised plinth with doors and windows cut out of the steel to form openings.”

The supporting documents said the building is single storey formed from metal storage containers with a central communal area.

Five separate sleeping areas and six separate toilets and five shower units are provided in the building.

In 2016, permission was granted to use the golf club as a Buddhist temple with four monks residing at the property on a full time basis. The plans also included an indoor meditation and ceremony area.

The latest application states that the development use is consistent with the land being in the green belt.

The supporting statement, produced by Ashall Town Planning said: “The proposal which is to provide basic overnight monk accommodation including people visiting from Thailand, ancillary to the existing Wat Sriratanaram temple is considered to conform with relevant planning policies.

“While an unusual form of development, no material harm is caused to the general surrounding area.”

Bolton council will make a decision on the plans in the coming weeks.