A POPULAR children’s play centre may be forced to close if planning permission allowing it to run is denied for a second time.

Playtime, located on the junction of Fountain Street North and Back Manor Street in Bury, currently only has permission to be used as an industrial unit – not an indoor play area.

The building’s current use is unauthorised and Bury Council has issued an enforcement order for it to be moved.

Owner David Shafai, from Prestwich, has now applied to the council for permission to change its use to a children’s daytime play centre for the second time.

He said if the council refused to grant permission, it would result in the loss of up to eight jobs.

Mr Shafai first applied for permission to change the use of the building in March last year, but Bury’s planning control committee rejected the application.

Councillors said the plans contained insufficient detail on why it would be unviable to retain the site in employment uses, and there was not enough parking provided to comply with council standards.

The new application, submitted on behalf of Mr Shafai by Holcombe-based PPY Design, was received on November 5.

The new application’s design and access statement says: “Car parking for general use is provided off site, yet within close proximity.

“Additional car parking spaces will be provided adjacent to the entrance for use by the disabled, and parents with young infants.

“The surface from the remote car park to Fountain Street North will be improved and protected with a timber vehicle barrier.

“The building currently employs nine staff, two of whom were previously unemployed and had never had previous jobs.

“Should our planning application be refused, the likelihood is that the building would be used for storage purposes within permitted development rights.

“This would reduce the number of people required on the site, to just one or two staff, resulting in a significant loss of employment.”

No representations have yet been received in favour or against the plans, on which a decision is expected by January 2.