DAR AL HARB - U.K.: A NEW MOSQUE SURROUNDED BY VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE, RESIDENTS UPSET, LAWMAKERS OBLIVIOUS

Row over new mosque plans
Objections have been raised to plans for the new mosque

A huge new mosque and Islamic school could be built in a Preston conservation area.
The Preston Muslim Society plan to knock down the existing Masjid-E-Salaam mosque, on Watling Street Road, Fulwood, to include a 17.5 metre tower on the top.

The plans also include proposals to demolish another building, which dates back to the early 1900s, on nearby Victoria Road and rebuild it as a learning centre of seven classrooms adjoining the mosque.

More than 145 objections have been received by planners to the plans for the mosque, largely due to concerns about traffic and fears that the building will be out of character for the area. The existing building was converted from a hotel.

The proposal has prompted far-right extremists from the British National Party (BNP) to start a race-hate campaign and leaflet hundreds of homes locally. But local councillors have moved quickly to condemn the leaflet as "appalling" and said their decision to support local people's objections to the proposals had been done on "purely planning grounds."

A joint letter from Coun Jill Truby, Coun Bobby Cartwright, County Coun Franc de Molfetta and Coun Christine Abram, aimed to show cross-party unity against the extremists, was also posted to local residents, Coun Cartwright, who represents the area on Preston Council, even called the police saying she felt it "offensive" that people were able to distribute such material.

However, the developer which has submitted the plans on behalf of the Muslim Society said it altered its plans following consultations with planners from the council.

One local resident, who had lived in the area more than 30 years, said he had objected because it would cause further traffic misery for people living nearby.

Another woman from Fulwood Hall Lane, who asked not to be named, said: "How can a tower on top of a building like that be in keeping with the local area?

"All around we have beautiful Victorian architecture, how is a mosque ever going to be in keeping with that?"


Pertinent Links:

1) Row over new mosque plans