Savile Town mosque’s plans for extensions are ‘too much’

The Makki Madani Masjid Mosque in Savile Town wanted permission to build a second storey above its end of terrace building, which was a home until 1991.

It also wanted to build two and three storey extensions behind the Kertland Street property.

The application was referred to the Heavy Woollen planning sub committee by Coun Masood Ahmed (Lab, Dews South).

He highlighted a petition signed by 58 residents in support of the plans.

But planning officers recommended refusal because it would overdevelop the plot.

They said it would also have a detrimental effect on road safety and the look of the area.

An agent for the mosque said: “There’s a need to expand and accommodate their growing numbers. It’s a sizable extension but it doesn’t really impact on the street.

“There are no on-street parking problems so we feel [refusal] is a little bit strong.”

Coun Salim Patel (Con, Dews South) said: “The people who would use the mosque won’t use their cars because it’s walking distance.”

But Coun Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) said: “Just because neighbours don’t object, that doesn’t mean that makes it right.

“The fact the need is from an expanding community does suggest there might be a parking problem. Even if it’s claimed there isn’t one now.

“I can’t support this because its completely out of scale even with the dwellings that have extra extensions.”

Graham Turner (Lab, Denby Dale) said: “This is too much. I’d like them to come back with something a bit more modest.”

All but three councillors voted in favour of the recommendation to refuse.