COUNCILLORS will this week impose strict conditions on a controversial new £2 million mosque and Islamic school in a conservation area.

Last month they overturned planning officers advice and gave the go-ahead for the proposal to accommodate 200 worshippers off Shear Bank Road, Blackburn.

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On Thursday they will debate six pages of conditions covering areas including drainage, soundproofing and traffic to meet objections from residents and Historic England.

Ward councillor Suleman Khonat hopes the tight restrictions will meet both nearby householders concerns and the needs of those behind the project.

Once they have been formally agreed by Blackburn with Darwen planning committee, the Eldon Road Mosque Committee will be able to demolish a semi-detached villa in the Corporation Park conservation area to build their new place of worship.

It has already changed its plans to try to meet the objections of neighbours, reducing the height of the building and removing a proposed large dome above the prayer hall.

The existing mosque, at the rear of the proposed site, has 180 members which may increase to 200 with the construction of new Islamic worship centre and nine-classroom madrassa.

Attendance may reach 280 on major holy days.

While two neighbours supported the application, seven objected, concerned about noise, nuisance and overlooking of their homes.

The list of conditions includes: * a foul and surface water drainage scheme to prevent pollution of nearby streams; * work to deal with contaminated materials on site; * a tree protection plan; * a full landscaping scheme with new trees and shrubs; * no externally audible calls to prayer; * a full car parking and traffic plan; * soundproofing of the building and obscure glazing for the classrooms; and * limits on the times of construction work; The officers report decided against insisting on a new pedestrian crossing at the junction of Shear Park Road and East Park Road.

Cllr Khonat, who led the move to overturn the officers recommendation to refuse the application last month, said: “I will study these conditions carefully.

"I am hopeful they will allow a successful resolution of his application meeting the needs of the mosque committee and the concerns of the residents."

No-one from the mosque committee or its agents, Compass Architectural, was immediately available for comment.

The amended scheme will reduce the height of the building by sinking the floor level by six feet.

The original planning officers report was concerned about its effect on neighbouring properties, lack of car parking, damage to protected trees and ‘detrimental impact' on the conservation area.