PART of a Blackburn Mosque could be knocked down to make way for a new extension.

Plans have been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council proposing to partially demolish Masjid-e-Rizwan Mosque in Newton Street, which has served the community for more than 40 years.

The centre is looking to improve its existing offer through undertaking an extension and internal reconfiguration to provide ladies and men’s worshipping floorspace as well as other ancillary elements including better hygienic ablution facilities, funeral preparation facilities a library, IT room, storage space and an office.

The community hall element of the development will remain unchanged.

There are no changes proposed in terms of the operating hours and nor are there any changes proposed to the number of staff members being employed at the premises.

In a planning statement submitted alongside the application, a spokesman for Kokni Muslim Association said: "Whilst it is acknowledged that the size of the building would increase somewhat, this is to enable an internal reconfiguration and provide better circulation and enhanced space per user.

"Masjid-E-Rizwan serves and draws it congregation from a particular section of the Muslim community. As such, it is not considered that there will be a material difference in the number of people attending the premises at any one time.

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"Although the proposal does not include additional on-site parking provision, it currently makes use of on-street provision (as do many other uses in the vicinity, such as the employment related uses and the primary school) and operates without any known detriment to the local highway network.

"There is unrestricted parking provision on most of Newton Street (on the eastern side) and as the peak activity at the Mosque does not overlap with the surrounding uses, there is generally plentiful parking provision, which is considered would be sufficient for the proposed development.

"The much-needed proposal will provide enhanced facilities for the local community while not bringing about any adverse impacts in terms of amenity, design or highways concerns."