Mosque extension to have “more Islamic” design

The original extension at Broom Lane — adding a first-floor madrasah for teaching — was approved last October.

But the Raza-E-Mustafa Mosque and Cultural Centre has decided it wants the bigger building to look more like a religious building.

Planning board member Cllr John Turner, who walked out of the original meeting last year, said he had no issue with the new design (below) but maintained fears about parking problems.

He added: “In terms of communities and churches, in this present chaotic society that we have, I’m in favour. I occasionally go to church.”

But he did comment on it being a second application, saying: “I just want a bit of advice really from a planning officer. 

“Is the best way to achieve an objective, in terms of building, if it looks a bit onerous, to apply for something else first to get full planning permission?”

The aim of the expansion is to avoid using the ground floor hall for both teaching and prayer sessions.

A planning condition means the madrasah and prayer hall cannot be used at the same time \_ because of concerns stemming from the site only having seven parking spaces.

Applicant Hafiz Patel said: “There’s not much change in terms of use, there’s just the external view.

“We thought the original seemed a bit more like a mansion, not a place of worship. It’s a mosque at the end of the day. We want it to look like a mosque.”

But neighbour Doris Butterworth said she preferred the previous design, which she felt was more in-keeping with surrounding houses.

“It’s a residential area,” she added. “There’s no spiritual or symbolic reason why there’s got to be a dome.

“The first plans were, to me, in-keeping with the area and I think it should be kept like that.”

Another resident said all major planning additions on Broom Lane had hip-style roofs to fit in with other buildings. 

He added: “I myself submitted an application for a gable end which was refused and had to be adapted to have a hip-style roof.”

The new plan was approved at last Thursday’s meeting. 

Planning board member Cllr Bob Walsh said: “Last year’s was a bit of a plain Jane. This year we have got something rather beautiful.”

But Cllr Mick Elliott said: “Quite honestly, I don’t think it fits in with the local neighbourhood. I think it looks quite an eyesore.”

RMBC development manager Nigel Hancock said: “The applicants want to go for a more Eastern-type design. 

“It’s more of a traditional style mosque, it’s not something that’s unique.”

Building materials and colours are still to be decided and will need council approval.