A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a mosque in the centre of Clitheroe came up before a government inspector today.

A three-year bid by Clitheroe's Muslim community to build the mosque at the back of an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street came to a halt last year.

Planners gave the scheme the thumbs down for the second time.

And an appeal against refusal was being heard todayin the Ribble Valley Council Chamber.

Ribble Valley planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved on the conditions that religious worship would be kept to the extended building only, there would be no call to prayer and no singing in the building.

But members Ribble Valley planning committee gave the scheme the thumbs down by six votes to five. The plan was much the same as a 1999 scheme refused on the grounds of increased traffic and noise.

Mosque spokesman Sheraz Arshad said Clitheroe's Muslim community just wanted a fair hearing.

But Sheila Sims, chairman of the Mearley Residents' Association, who will be speaking at the appeal on behalf of objectors, said there was widespread concern in the Holden Street area about the scheme.