Following the release of new plans, organisers have described how the £8million development would welcome people from all faiths and backgrounds, offering meals and a chance to find out more about Sikhism.

The temple, which will be built by Leamington contractors AC Lloyd, will have three prayer rooms as well as a large kitchen offering facilities to provide hot food to members and visitors.

So far some 180 Sikh families have agreed to pay the interest on loan repayments of around £4million for four years to give the committee the chance to raise enough money to pay off the debt.

Member Parminder Singh Birdi said: "There are four and a half thousand Sikhs in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth and only one temple so we want it to be special.

"This building will add to the architectural heritage of Warwick district and people will come from miles around just to have a look at it.

"I am looking forward to the opening."

Former committee member Jasvan Singh Virdee explained that the temple was used by families from across the district. He added: "We only have one temple and if you go to Coventry there are eight and there are around 20 in Birmingham."

The current temporary site in Queensway will be kept open as a second venue once the project is complete to provide extra room.

The congregation raised £36,000 by taking part in the Two Castles run and have held various fundraising projects including a women's pamper day and charity car washes to raise extra donations towards the building.

Members are also keen to help less advantaged people and currently provide food for the homeless at Bath Place Community Venture every Sunday at 4pm. Volunteers also took over from Steph and Geoff Devlin during the summer and ran the Christian Mission soup kitchen near Jephson Gardens for four weeks.

A number of objectors have suggested that the development is too expensive but committee members said they have regularly consulted the congregation who are happy with the plans.

The Courier was also contacted by a former committee member who said some younger Sikhs were unhappy about the burden of a £8million debt. Youth worker Baljinder Singh Rai, 35, denied the claims. He said:"There's been a lot more involvement in the last year and it's about uplifting the whole community.

"We want to complete this project and leave something for future Sikh generations."

The latest plans also show a basement area which will be used for meetings, language and music classes and will also house a one stop shop for the congregation.