AN Islamic education centre can expand after its second application for planning permission was approved despite worries over parking and highway safety.

The proposal for Khanqah in Robinson Street, Blackburn, has been approved.

The former school in Little Harwood will now go ahead with its new double and single storey extensions, dormers and internal alterations to create a first floor.w

Blackburn with Darwen Council planners approved the scheme despite the borough's highways department questioning whether the was adequate parking, its impact on highway safety and whether there was proper provision for the safe dropping off and collection of children attending its Madrassah.

A design and access statement submitted with its second application after an initial one in August 2020 was refused says: "The application site comprises a former infant school and

associated grounds that originally accommodated St Stephens C of E infant school up until 2010, when it merged with the junior school to create ‘St Stephen’s Primary school’ and relocated to its

purpose-built new site on the opposite side of Robinson Street.

"At the time of the 2008 decision to build the replacement school, the application buildings were described as ‘not fit for purpose'.

"The Diocese of Blackburn disposed of the site and it became the temporary home of the newly-created Tauheedul Islam Boys School and in recent years has been occupied by an Islamic Educational Centre providing teaching, worshipping and spiritual provision to the local community of Little Harwood.

"The condition of the building has continued to decline and more than a decade on from the building being classed by the Department for Education as ‘not fit for purpose’, time has now come to secure the building’s future use.

"The applicant seeks to internally remodel the building to better serve the needs of the educational centre and its users.

"The objective is to modernise the premises internally to bring about a genuine 21st century learning and spiritual setting.

"The main building comprises a stone-built Victorian primary school. Parts of the building are in a poor condition.

"The building was originally constructed for education purposes and the current use sees a continuation of this. "

A report recommending approval by planning officer Christian Barton said: "In comparison to the previous application, these proposals exhibit some significant design improvements."