MUSLIMS and councillors have failed to find a site for a mosque in Clitheroe.

Muslims are appealing against Ribble Valley Council's decision to turn down their plan to build a mosque in the centre of town.

Mohammed Arshad wants to erect the structure next to an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street.

He proposes to house it in a single storey extension to the side of the centre at the end of a row of terrace houses. The council's planning committee supported a recommendation by officers for the scheme to be refused on the grounds that it would be unneighbourly.

Council leader Howel Jones suggested that Muslim representatives and councillors could join forces to find a suitable, alternative site.

But planning chairman Frank Dyson told councillors that the meetings had so far proved unsuccessful.

He said: "Several meetings have taken place with the applicant to find an alternative site, but so far without success.

"We have made several suggestions for possible sites, but the applicant hasn't found them suitable."

He said the process would continue and further meetings were scheduled.

But Mohammed Arshad said Muslims in the town had been looking for an alternative site for 21 years.

And they want to run the mosque from the Islamic Education Centre for a year on a trial basis.

"All we want is the chance to show that this scheme can work to the benefit of everyone," he said.

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