A MOSQUE in Great Harwood has won its battle to build an extension.

An Inspector has upheld an appeal against a decision by Hyndburn Council to refuse planning permission for a two-storey extension to the mosque in Segar Street.

Councillors rejected the proposed extension on the grounds of un-neighbourly development, lack of car parking and likely increase in traffic and disturbance.

The Inspector found that although the proposal involved an increase in the overall size of the building, no extra space would be created for worship or religious teaching.

The mosque said that, for reasons of Islamic doctrine, the prayer hall could not be used for secular functions such as weddings or community events.

For similar reasons the upper floor of the extension could not be used for religious purposes.

The Inspector also concluded the extension would not detract from the privacy of residents, or be overbearing or overshadow neighbours to an unacceptable degree.

He granted planning permission for the development subject to conditions.

The outcome of the appeal was reported to Hyndburn development services committee.

Between January and the end of October this year 16 appeals have been received, compared with 12 in the same period the previous year.

Since January 11 appeal decisions have been received, of which six were dismissed, four upheld and one was partly upheld and partly dismissed.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.