A DOME built on the roof of a mosque is set to be awarded retrospective planning permission.

The fibreglass structure, on a former care home off Didsbury Street, Blackburn, had not been authorised by planners when it was built.

Planning permission was obtained for part of the renovation but did not cover the dome, which was donated from another mosque on nearby Audley Range.

Under planning law, developers are entitled to apply retrospectively for a permit.

The derelict former building is being restored thanks to a fundraising campaign.

A petition with more than 1,000 signatures has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council calling for permission to be rejected.

The petition claims the dome was built “illegally” and objects to the number of mosques already in the town.

However, the application, by the Masjid-E-Saliheen mosque committee, is set to be approved when the planning committee, chaired by Labour’s Jim Smith, meets on Thursday evening.

In their assessment, planning bosses said the dome was a “prominent addition” to the building but did not detract from the local skyline.

The number of existing mosques is not a relevant consideration for the planning committee.

Therefore, planning officers have recommended permission be awarded.