Bastwell mosque set for new funeral centre and mortuary

Bastwell's Masjid-al-Momineen wants to construct the community hall and mortuary on vacant land used as an overflow car park, on the opposite side of Ash Street.

The Kokni Muslim Welfare Society's planning application is to be debated at Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee on Thursday.

The community hall and funeral centre are recommended for approval by councillors with 21 conditions, including a restriction to only be used between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no operations on any Sunday or Bank Holiday.

A planning officer's report says: "The proposal is in the form of a full planning application for a minor development to provide a new community and funeral centre.

Another view of how the development would look

"The proposed building will be used in association and ownership with Masjid-al-Momineen Mosque, which is located immediately adjacent to the south of the proposal site.

"The proposed development will also include car parking.

"The proposal, in redeveloping a redundant brownfield site for the purpose of community use, represents a viable and sustainable form of development.

"It will deliver a number of social, economic and environmental benefits.

"In summary, assessment of the application finds that the proposal is acceptable.

"The application site relates to a parcel of vacant, previously developed land accessed from Ash Street to the south and bounded by Plane Street to the north and Beech Street to the east.

How the site currently looks (Image: Google)

"It formerly comprised of terraced housing which was demolished in the 1980s.

"Ownership also includes the place of worship to the immediate south, also accessed from Ash Street.

"It currently comprises of partly-grassed areas and hard surfaced which appears to have been used temporarily as an overflow car park to support the adjacent mosque use.

"The submitted design and access statement states ‘the intention is to create a facility that is purpose-built with a dedicated Ghusl Khana, for washing and shrouding the body, in accordance with Islamic funeral practices'.

"The building is to provide facilities for the immediate family of the deceased for the three days prior to burial.

"It also sets out that the community hall would support around 100 people and is to be used in association with the funeral facilities and other community uses / events.

"It is recognised that the proposal building would not be used for the purposes of weddings, funerals (except funeral prayers) or other similar functions."