Plans to transform land surrounding a mosque, creating 49 new car parking spaces, a children’s play area, a marquee and a 3G sports pitch, have been withdrawn.

The plans were submitted to Pendle Council at the end of September 2022 by Ishtiaq Mohammed, for the Madina Mosque in Manchester Road, Nelson.

The remodelling of the land surrounding the mosque included improved landscaping, access paths with lighting, steps within the woods, a water fountain, and a retaining wall.

There were also plans for benches, an enclosed children's play area, a 3G sports pitch where a removable marquee could be erected occasionally for events, the removal of some vegetation, and wildflower sowing.

Residents raised objections over the plans, stating that when the proposals were first mooted some 10 years ago, it was for a refurbishment of the mosque.

However, they said the recent application demonstrated a “seismic shift”, which would impact all residents, particularly in terms of traffic and noise in the area for those wanting to use the proposed football pitches, and people coming and going to use the proposed marquee for events.

A report to the planning committee in December 2022 stated that should plans for the marquee be removed then the proposals would be acceptable.

However, the application was withdrawn from Pendle Council’s planning portal on October 31.

The mosque is sited in the Grade-II listed former Spring Cottage, and is also used as a community centre.

The building had a lot of renovation work to allow it to be successfully returned to the community, and the surrounding land, which the application relates to, is significant in size, and once formed the gardens of Spring Cottage.

It is not yet known whether the plans will be amended and a new application submitted to the council.