AN Islamic education centre is set to get the green light to build a three-storey open-sided playing courts complex.

Councillors have been recommended to approve the development at the Jamiatul Illm Wal Huda in Moss Street, Blackburn.

The site accommodates separate boys and girls schools with a boarding elements as well as a Mosque.

The new building will have a simple steel frame set behind a perforated metal cladding and pick up on aspects of the Islamic architectural style of the other buildings within the site.

It will replace four external sports courts with a high mesh fence.

This month's meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Planning Committee on Thursday next week is recommended to approve the project with 17 conditions.

A report by officers to councillors says there have been no objections and a 19-signature petition in favour.

It says: "The proposed development will provide a high quality recreational facility to meet the needs of the educational uses on site, as well as the surrounding community.

"The site forms part of a larger Islamic Education Centre, Jamiatul Illm Wal Huda, which has separate buildings for male and female education and includes a live-in boarding element.

"Existing buildings on the site are of traditional Islamic design incorporating design features such as arched windows, gable frontages, a dome and minarets.

"The proposal seeks to remove a group of existing external play courts and develop a three-storey open-sided playing courts serving both the boy’s and girl’s schools on site.

"The cladding is three-dimensional with a coloured triangular shaped pattern that stands proud of a grey perforated screen. This provides a transparent skin around the structure that is intended to lighten the mass of the building. Whilst utilitarian, it is enhanced by the external facades."