Major Mosque Rebuilding Project in England Given Approval
Plans to demolish and rebuild the Makkah Mosque on Grecian Crescent, Bolton, have been in the pipeline for many years now with an outline application made all the way back in December 2018.
Since then, further proposals have be made for a taller dome, minaret and prayer room, which were approved on June 6 this year, with the finished project set to include a three-storey combined community and education facility.
Cllr Mohammed Ayub, who represents the area on Bolton Council, said: “It’s been going on a long, long time so I’m pleased now it's been approved and it is finally going to come about.
“It's going to be a very big project but it's good news for the community.
“When it's done, it’ll be very nice, it’ll be beautiful.”
He added: “They had been using an old school building which wasn’t ideal for religious purposes but once it's finished this new building will be up to standard.”
The most recent application was lodged in February 2020 after architects and would-be worshippers noticed a need for features like clearer entrances and facilities for 'fatiha', a place where the congregation can mourn the passing of a member of the community and console the bereaved family.
The completed project will now include a replacement mosque, madrasah and community center along with the demolition of the existing mosque on Grecian Crescent.
The architects behind the mosque project hope that the new building will keep to the tone of the local area and nearby buildings but also will be linked to historic landmarks in the Asian subcontinent.
This, designers at David Cox Architects hope, will help to strengthen links between worshippers in Great Lever and the historic roots of their community.
Care has been taken to ensure that the building is accessible to elderly and disabled people with the use of a passenger lift.
Cllr John Walsh, chair of the planning committee, confirmed that no objections have been received and as such there have been no grounds for refusal for the plans.
Source: asianimage.co.uk
