An appeal has been launched by a community centre after it was refused a retrospective change of use.

Khursheed Siddique, of Sana Welfare Foundation, Green Lane, Ilford, had applied for permission from Redbridge Council to change from a shop to a community centre last year.

But the bid was refused over concerns about noise, disturbance, pedestrians and cars around the centre.

Now an appeal has been lodged with the planning inspectorate to overturn the decision.

Appeal papers said: “The site is perfectly suited to the community centre, which fits in with the existing prevailing development of the street.

“There have been no objections from immediate or otherwise neighbouring properties on Green Lane.

“Therefore we believe that the establishment does not have an adverse effect on the neighbouring properties by reason of noise or disturbance.”

The statement said there would be no noise outside the premises, as there was no garden, and all attendees of the centre lived locally and walked.

It also said activities at the centre included a children’s homework group, English language classes, community upbringing workshops for adults, health facilities and legal advice.

“In our opinion the previous use... would have attracted customers throughout the day therefore the change of use will not have an adverse effect on the neighbouring amenities, in particular the pedestrian and vehicular activity.”

The document said peak attendance at the centre would be 25 people, with opening times from 9am-8pm through the week and 9am-6pm on Saturdays.

“The timings were agreed with by the antisocial behaviour team which are deemed as sociable hours of the day,” it said.