A FORMER public toilet is being used “illegally” as a prayer room, residents have claimed.

The building, in Crownfield Road, Leytonstone, was sold in 2006 and planning permission was granted to build a shop and flat on the site.

But work never began and it was taken over in 2008 by the Muslim Asian Cultural Centre (MACC) under a “gentlemen's agreement”.

Although no outright sale was made, a document issued by the MACC in June stated they were “committed to buying the property by January 2009”.

And residents of nearby Gilbert Street claim the building has been used as a prayer room since 2008, after toilets were ripped out, causing noise and disruption.

William Donoghue, 59, of Gilbert Street, said: “They're not supposed to be in there. Every time they're in there praying, we can hear it.”

He added that people often block the pavement and that the makeshift prayer room also caused traffic problems.

Residents raised the issue with the council but say they have had no substantial response.

They also stated workman were seen on the roof of the building and could be heard carrying out repairs late into the night.

A meeting was held at the site on June 14, led by the MACC, to inform residents about plans to replace the building with a new community centre.

A document sent out to residents following the meeting states: “The proposed scheme is not a commercial venture to make profit.

“It is to provide the local Muslim community essential services.”

The document denies parking problems and suggests using planters to “screen” pedestrians as well as a “quieter tone” during prayers.

It states the work carried out on the building's roof was necessary to keep to "tight deadlines".

It also apologises for any “ill statements or bad behaviour” but does not acknowledge claims the building is being used “illegally”.

Jack Wallace, 69, whose home would be overlooked by any new development on the site, said: “It will look straight into my back garden and rear windows.

“They're using when they shouldn't be and nobody's done anything about it.”

The MACC was denied planning permission in 2008 to build a three-storey community centre on the site with a prayer room and capacity for about 90 people.

Council officers decided the development would have a “serious detrimental impact” on the surrounding area, including increased noise and traffic, as its scale would be too large.

The group is currently appealing the decision.

The council has confirmed the property is under investigation but did not offer further comment.