Blackburn Mosque Granted Approval for New Purpose-Built Building

IQNA – A mosque in Blackburn, currently operating in a converted pub, has received approval to demolish the existing structure and build a new two-storey place of worship after agreeing to fund local road safety measures.

The Jamia Syeda Fatima Al-Zahra Mosque on Bank Lane was granted planning permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council to replace the former Crescent pub with a modern Islamic centre.

The new building will include traditional design features such as decorative panels, feature columns, and a glazed atrium, Lancashire Telegraph reported.

Local councillors and residents had raised concerns about traffic risks on what they described as a “notorious accident hotspot.” In response, the mosque committee agreed to finance a zebra crossing on Shadsworth Road and widen the Bank Lane footpath next to the site. Both measures are now part of the council’s 18 planning conditions for the project.

A council planning report said the new building would “contrast with the established character of the locality,” noting that such contrast is common for community and religious landmarks. The development will also expand and reconfigure the on-site car park but will prohibit wedding celebrations on the premises.

The new mosque will rise on a corner plot at Bank Lane and Shadsworth Road, maintaining a similar scale to the existing structure while incorporating a more distinctive Islamic design.

Once completed, it is expected to serve as a modern spiritual and educational centre for Blackburn’s Muslim community.

Source: Agencies