PLANS have been submitted to create a Buddhist peace garden and meditation space in Runcorn.

Wat Phra Singh UK, a charity which operates a Buddhist temple and medication centre on High Street in the Old Town, has submitted the proposals to convert the land off Waterloo Road.

The charity took over the The Waterloo Hotel  in 2013 and has over 2,000 registered supporters in the UK, regularly attracting up to 600 people to its events. It has recently had plans approved for a new hall and now wants to construct a peace garden on land owned by Halton Borough Council.

If given the go ahead, the triangular area – which is bordered by the High Street bus way, Waterloo Road and Station Road – would be turned into a 520 sq ft peace garden featuring a 6m-high Buddhist Chedi statue, a structure used for meditation.

A design and access statement submitted to Halton Borough Council’s development management committee, said the area was anticipated to become a tourist attraction due to new investment and plans to open up the Old Town’s locks and waterways.

It added: “As a not-for-profit charity supporting the Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre, the applicants are not seeking material gain from this proposal, but are simply trying to make better use of an utilises space, adjacent to the temple.”

If approved, the statement said the garden would be open to all and would have seating where people can sit for 'rest and calm reflection'.

The statement added: “The Chedi will be the centrepiece for a short meditation walk, which will include flower beds and rockeries.

“In front of the garden will be a stone plaque setting out the concept of the Peace Garden, inviting people to sit and enjoy the area.”