A NEW dome on a mosque in Blackburn does not have planning permission, it has been emerged.

Council officials have contacted the Masjid E Saliheen mosque, Didsbury Street, after realising the copper-painted dome should have had authorisation.

The chairman of the mosque, Saleem Kapadi, said he was ‘furious’ because he thought planning permission had been sorted out.

The dome on the former Burnside Care Home has become a prominent sight on the gateway to the town centre from the Whitebirk Roundabout.

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

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.

Mr Kapadi, who has led the redevelopment project, said: “I am furious, to be honest.

"All the paperwork has gone in, and we always said we wanted a dome on there.

"I was under the impression that it was all done."

Coun Jim Smith, the chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee, confirmed the dome did not have planning permission.