A NEW bid has been made to create a mosque in Clitheroe, almost three years after the original application was turned down.

Plans for the property in Holden Street include building a single-storey extension to the side and rear to create space for a washing area, disabled toilet and prayer hall, whilst the existing ground floor area would be retained as an Islamic Education Centre, with a store, offices and library on the first floor.

Comments on the proposal, submitted by the centre's trustees, must be made to Ribble Valley Borough Council's planning department by March 15.

It is expected the proposals will come before the council's planning and development committee in the next few months.

A spokesman for the council's planning department said: "The re-submitted application is predominantly the same as the one received in 1999.

"But the application has been submitted again following an appeal that had not been determined due to a technicality."

The original application submitted in 1999 by Mohammed Arshad included building the mosque as a single-storey extension at the side of the existing Islamic Education Centre, which provides after-school teaching to Muslim youngsters.

The plans did not include a call tower for the mosque, and a car park for worshippers was outlined to be built at the back.

Supporters had also hoped to open the mosque for a two-year experimental period, but the proposals caused a furore amongst local residents who felt it would lead to an increase in noise pollution and traffic problems.

Over 165 letters and a 850-name petition objecting to the scheme were sent to the council.

Planning officers had recommended that the re-submitted scheme should be deferred and delegated to the council's chief executive Dave Morris for a two-year approval.

The special temporary consent would have enabled the impact of the mosque to be monitored and there would be a ban on music, singing and prayer-calling at all times.

Plans to build the mosque next to the education centre first caused a storm in 1998 with residents fearing an increase in noise and traffic nuisance.

The application was rejected by Ribble Valley Borough Council's planning committee on the grounds that it would be 'un-neighbourly'.