A new mosque is to be built on Higher Antley Street. The scheme was granted planning permission during a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday (24 March).
The existing mosque on the site will be demolished and replaced with a new three-storey building featuring decorative minarets and a dome.
Councillor Munsif Dad said: "This is something that we need and something that the area needs as well."
Councillor Mohammad Ayub said: "It's an excellent opportunity to rejuvenate the area. It will be a challenge, but a challenge that can be achieved."
Concerns were raised at the meeting about the lack of off-street parking for the site.
Councillor Dad added: "The mosque has a few hundred members and the vast majority of members live within walking distance of that area. All other areas are served. There will be no additional parking issues."
The existing building on the site was formerly a church and has been used as a mosque for many years. It occupies a site at the junction of Higher Antley Street and Fountain Street.
The new building will be used in a similar way to the existing mosque for normal service on Fridays. There will be children's classes on
Monday to Friday between 5pm and 7pm and the five daily prayers will continue.
There will be no weddings in the mosque and funeral gatherings will take place for no longer than 30 minutes.
The ground floor will provide a prayer area for men, the first floor for women and the top floor provides a teaching area.
