MUSLIMS in Clitheroe have lost their four-year bid to build a mosque at the back of a terrace house in the town centre.

Their appeal against refusal by Ribble Valley Council to grant permission for the mosque at the back of an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street has been dismissed by the government's planning inspectorate.

Muslims in Clitheroe say they are disappointed with the decision and considering appealing to the High Court in London.

But Holden Street residents have welcomed the decision and Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom said the council's stance on the matter had been vindicated.

The mosque plan came to a halt last year, when the council's planning committee gave it the thumbs-down for the second time.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved on the condition that religious worship be kept to the extended building only, there be no call to prayer and no singing in the building. But the planning committee gave the scheme the thumbs-down.

An appeal heard activity at the proposed mosque was estimated at two or three worshippers in the morning and eight in the evening with the busiest time expected to be a 35-minute period on Friday afternoons when there would be 15 people.

But residents claimed the proposed development would lead to increased noise and traffic in the early hours.

In dismissing the appeal, planning inspector Claire Sherratt said: "During the summer months in particular the comings and goings associated with the first and last prayers of the day would be during times when nearby residents might reasonably expect quiet.

"While I accept the number of people attending may be limited, this could not be ensured.

"Up to 15 people might use the prayer hall during the summer and I consider the comings and goings of people attending sunrise and evening prayer would disturb nearby residents."

Sheraz Arshad, from the Islamic Education Centre, said: "The main reason for refusal seems to be noise in the summer in the morning and evening, but quite a few pubs and restaurants operate in residential areas in Clitheroe until the late hours and the most we are talking about is three or four worshippers.

"I am disappointed and will be consulting with the Clitheroe Muslim community about where we go from here. "

Sheila Sims, chairman of the Mearley Residents' Association, which has campaigned against the mosque, said: "Residents would have been disturbed by this development and have fought it for three years.

"A mosque in the right place is fair enough, but this is not in the right place."