AN end-terraced house is set to resume its former use as a mosque and Islamic education centre.

The property at 209 Preston New Road, Blackburn, had been used for these purposes from 1980 to 2007 by the Ghausia Masjid before it moved to new premises in the town’s Leamington Road.

Now The Muslim (Hanfi-Sunni) Association which purchased the premises in March 2019 proposes to reopen the house as a mosque and madrassah.

They propose to spend £200,000 upgrading the interior of the building, still laid out for Muslim worship.

The return of the premises, at the end of a terrace of three houses, to religious use been approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning officials.

Local Wensley Fold ward councillor Quesir Mahmood said: “They are not going to reopen immediately.

“They are spending £200,000 renovating the inside of the building so it will not be for two or three years.

“This is a fit and proper use of the building which will benefit the local community.”

A supporting statement by Inspire Planning Solutions Ltd says: “The centre has long served the local community, having been in use as mosque (Masjid) and madrassa (education centre) since the 1980s and continually operated from the premises until 2007 when the management moved to a purpose-built facility nearby.

“After a period of vacancy, the property has been acquired by another religious institution wanting to continue its established use after some extensions.

“The use has not been abandoned, just a period of vacancy with the existing established use being dormant.

“There has never been any intention to abandon the established use and this is reflected in the physical condition of the existing building, which retains the appearance and layout of a mosque/madrassa. The intention has always been to bring the property back into use as place of worship.”