COUNCILLORS have been recommended to approve a new Muslim prayer shelter in Pleasington Cemetery despite fears it will cause 'parking chaos'.

An officer's report Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee on Thursday next week says it is needed near a proposed additional Islamic burial ground in the graveyard.

It notes that several objections from residents have been received concerning parking, the potential for congestion to occur, the design of the building and its location in the cemetery.

These concerns have been supported by Pleasington Parish Council and local ward councillor Mark Russell.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board meeting in August agreed to pay for the new Muslim burial ground and prayer shelter at the municipally-owned Blackburn cemetery.

The report to councillors says: "The council’s development plan supports new religious developments and associated works, provided they constitute sustainable development.

"The proposed development involves the erection of a single-storey building to be used primarily as a prayer room for funerals.

"An associated ablutions area and WCs would be provided within.

"In support of the new building, a parking area and waiting bay would be formed.

"A number of concerns from members of the public together with Pleasington Parish Council have also been received.

"The concerns raised principally involve parking requirements and the potential for congestion.

"Future burial arrangements and the design of the building have also been raised.

"Bricks and concrete tiles would be used to externally finish the building and it would be fitted with white uPVC doors and windows.

"An extended parking area would be formed to the south of the building providing six standard parking bays together with a larger bay for disabled drivers.

" A waiting bay would be provided to the southeast of the building for longer vehicles (e.g. hearses) with tarmac hardstanding applied as the surfacing treatment.

"The cemetery is currently interspersed with a number of brick built freestanding buildings that occupy prominent positions.

"Buildings of the type proposed here are commonplace in open public areas and the presence of another such building would not be harmful.

"The wider site is provisioned with an abundance of parking opportunities, including an underused 44-space carpark within 300m of the application site.

"The distance between the existing carpark and site is walkable for most people and its presence is of significant benefit to this proposal.

"A further six bays will be provided to support this development.

"Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposed development would be acceptable on all the relevant planning grounds."