PLANS for a new mosque and Islamic school in a conservation area have generated objections from residents and Historic England.

The proposal to accommodate 200 worshippers off Shear Bank Road, Blackburn, has been recommended for refusal by council officials.

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It will be debated on tomorrow night by the borough planning committee at the request of ward councillors Suleman Khonat and Hussain Akthar.

The Eldon Road Mosque Committee want to demolish a semi-detached villa in the Corporation Park Conservation Area and relocate to a new complex.

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

The existing mosque, sited to the rear of the proposed site, has 180 members which may increase to 200 with the construction of new Islamic worship centre and madrassa and may reach 280 on major holy days.

The planning officers’ report says Historic England have objected to demolishing the existing villa without replacing it with a high-quality building.

It quotes the organisation’s reasons as the proposed new mosque is of ‘a poor quality of architectural design’ which would ‘harm the character and appearance of the conservation area’.

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

The amended plan would have nine classrooms at the two-storey Madrassa and reduce the height of the building by sinking the floor level by six feet.

The officers report recommends refusal on the grounds of its effect on neighbouring properties, lack of car parking, damage to protected trees and ‘detrimental impact on the character and appearance of Corporation Park Conservation Area’.