A church has applied for planning permission to turn its library into an Internet cafe.

Vernon Temple AME Church in Southampton is seeking change of use for a "commercial development to incorporate an Internet Cafe".

The former library will also house administrative offices.

The church, in Hawthorn Lane, previously applied for change of use to turn a child care facility into offices, meeting rooms and the library, in September 2006.

It plans to open the Internet facility between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., six days a week.

In a letter to Planning, Reverend Pedro A Jr. Castro said: "The proposed Administrative Offices for Vernon Temple AME Church are designed to accommodate three full-time employees with regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

"The Internet Cafe proposed operational hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Both operations will be closed on Sundays to the general public."

The Pastor did not wish to comment further on the application when contacted.