A PLAN to build a community and prayer centre has been sent back to the drawing board.

The bid by Beardwood and Lammack Muslim Society to build a two-storey building with prayer room, library, meeting rooms and function rooms was deferred by councillors.

Dozens of people attended a public meeting to discuss the issue at Blackburn Town Hall on Thursday evening.

The public gallery was full to capacity and residents were admitted on a ticket basis.

Councillors decided to send the plan for the site, which is the former car park of Beardwood Garden Centre, back for review after identifying problems such as a lack of parking provision and potential damage to protected trees.

A similar project was thrown out by planners in 2007 after 300 objections were lodged against a slightly bigger proposal.

At the meeting, speaking in support of the application, Ebrahim Foolat said: “As to parking, there is much co-operation in the area about this.

"People give the use of their driveways when there are weddings and large parties.

“The road itself, while busy, is not busy 24/7 and this facility will be used mainly at weekends.

“From an Islamic perspective, it is also more virtuous to walk to prayer and there will be signs erected discouraging people from driving.

“Also if trees are damaged, the centre can arrange for them to be replanted.

"The site already has permission for a three-storey detached house.

"This centre is only two storeys.”

Coun Alan Cottam said: “For me, the highways safety issue is the most significant problem.

"With only four spaces provided, the majority would have to park on the road.

"It’s unfair to compare it to a house, because that would not need the same parking provision.”

Councillors voted nine to three to defer the plan.

Chairman Coun Suleman Khonat said: “With a deferral, the applicants can review the application and work with the planning officers to address these points.”