Cllr Noel French says that he would be objecting to the proposals if a change-of-use planning application is necessary.

“I could be objecting to that on a number of grounds,” he states. I would not be happy that what many have described as a cult being present in our community and I will do what I can to prevent it coming into our community,” he says.

“I believe in everyone having their own religious freedom but cults are something else. I understand that what the scientologists want to use the building for is a substance rehabilitation centre. Again no problem with those who fall on hard times and I am actually on the board of such a centre, but Ballivor is not the place for such a centre. It is too isolated and too small for any hope of recovering addicts to re-integrate into society.

He added: “I also do have a problem when unproven methods are used. Narconon International is an organization that promotes the theories of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard regarding substance abuse treatment and addiction. I had hope that the building would provide a retirement home and create a few jobs in the village as well as they are badly needed.”

While a number of European countries have recognised scientology as a religion, scientologists in Paris have been convicted of fraud, while Belgium recently tried to outlaw the organisation as a criminal one after a 20-year investigation, but failed.