Accrington Mosque Proposes Extension to Meet Community Demand
The mosque's trustees have expressed the need for a new annexe, along with alterations to the existing car park and landscaping.
In a supporting statement accompanying the application, it is highlighted that since its opening in December 2017, the Raza Mosque and Community Centre has become a thriving hub for the local community.
Over the years, the demand for training and education rooms within the mosque has consistently surpassed capacity, even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the management team of the Raza Centre has sought alternative measures to accommodate and cater to this demand, including utilizing the existing community halls for educational purposes, albeit not ideally, according to the statement as published on Lancashire Telegraph on Wednesday.
To address the need, the mosque intends to construct a purpose-built annexe adjoining the community centre which will allow the halls to be utilized by the local community as initially intended, relieving the strain on the existing facilities, reads the statement.
“The new annexe is three-storey building attached to the existing south wing. The proposed annexe would provide an additional internal floor area over three floors, to meet the ever increased demand for education and training floor spaces,” it reads.
However, the construction of the annexe will result in the loss of 18 parking spaces within the grounds of the Raza Community Centre. To compensate for this reduction, the applicant plans to establish an additional car park opposite the center, capable of accommodating 22 parking spaces, as per the statement.
Hyndburn Council will now evaluate the planning application, taking into account the community's needs, impact on parking, and any other relevant factors before reaching a decision.
Source: Agencies
