MUSLIMS in Clitheroe are poised to resubmit plans for a mosque at the back of a town centre terraced house.

But residents today accused the community and Ribble Valley Council of not doing enough to find an alternative site.

A four-year bid to build the mosque at the back of an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street bit the dust last month when an appeal against refusal by the council was dismissed by the Government's Planning Inspectorate.

Inspector Claire Sherratt said the mosque would have a detrimental effect on the lives of nearby residents, particularly during the first and last prayers of the day.

She said: "In particular the comings and goings associated with the first and last prayers of the day would be during times when nearby residents might reasonably expect quiet. "While I accept the number of people attending the mosque may be limited, this could not be ensured.

"Up to 15 people might use the prayer hall during the summer and I consider the comings and goings of people attending sunrise and evening prayer would disturb nearby residents."

But Sheraz Arshad, of the Clitheroe Islamic Education Trust, today said it was likely a revised mosque plan would be submitted to Ribble Valley Council.

He said: "One option is to work with the local authority to find an alternative site and another option is to resubmit plans for Holden Street, albeit with restricted prayer times.

"It seems the times of prayer were the main concern of the planning inspector and taking that into account in a resubmitted plan could be our best chance of success.

"Restricting prayer times does mean we will miss out on some of our prayers, but I hope that highlights just how serious we are about this matter.

"We will announce our final decision within the week." Ribble Valley Council's planning committee gave the proposed mosque the thumbs-down for the second time last year.