BLACKPOOL'S new mosque will be a hidden jewel for South Shore, say the resort's Islamic community.

The small Muslim population - mainly doctors and their families - were delighted when Blackpool development control committee on Monday (September 27) unanimously passed plans to convert a former sign workshop behind Revoe Library into a mosque.

But 400 residents who had signed a petition over fears of traffic problems and noise were disappointed. A previous application had been turned down on traffic grounds, but speed humps and parking bans would overcome any difficulties, said planning officers.

Islamic Community president Raheem Khan, a retired cardio-thoracic surgeon, said: "We're absolutely thrilled. It will be a beautiful building, a hidden jewel for the area. I think the traffic objections stemmed from a misunderstanding about our numbers but we provided figures of average attendances and the planning officers have gone into every possible detail."

The community has outgrown its premises in Rigby Road, having to hire a hall at Revoe Library for Friday prayers when congregations average 90. Daily congregations, however, average less than 10.

Islamic Community chairman Dr Ghafoor Baloch said: "We'll make sure there's no congestion or noise. We want to be good neighbours to all the people - we'll make sure they don't have anything to worry about."

Development control chairman Coun David Owen said: "The committee was fully satisfied the traffic problems had been addressed after a detailed analysis. It's not going to be hordes of people coming day and night - the numbers are very low apart from half-an-hour on a Friday lunchtime."

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