A NEW three-storey mosque will be built in Great Lever after councillors unanimously approved plans.

Permission has been granted to build the mosque and a community centre in Grecian Crescent — but only after the plans were amended at the last minute.

The developers, who own an existing mosque on the site, had initially planned to keep the original building and use it alongside the new development for community use.

But at the start of the planning committee meeting, officers informed members that negotiations had taken place which meant that if approved, the scheme would now see the current building demolished in a bid to create about 40 extra car parking spaces.

This would be in addition to the 90 spaces being provided as part of the new building.

After hearing the revised plans, councillors from across the political divides were happy to support the development — although some were concerned that the parking provision still would not be enough for the estimated 350 users at the site’s busiest time.

Council leader Cliff Morris accepted that parking issues were important, adding: “It’s a difficult one with the parking but I do think what we must insist on is that they do pull down the old building and create that additional parking.

“With that in mind, I think we should approve this application.”

His colleague, Cllr Nick Peel said he had been considering objecting to the original plans but was happy with the changes.

He added: “Parking is the real issue here and I’m not overly happy with the amount of extra spaces they say can be created, I think more can be accommodated on the site.

“But the new information has changed my mind and I am happy to support it.”

Tory Cllr Bob Allen agreed with Cllr Peel and complimented the design of the planned new mosque.

He said: “I think the architecture of it looks wonderful, it is something different.

“Like Cllr Peel I still think there is inadequate parking and I hope the developer can make better use of the space — but I will back approval.”

UKIP leader Cllr Sean Hornby suggested that the question of the parking impact on local residents should mean that the debate should be deferred for a decision.

He said: “I would like more detail with regard to how many vehicles use this area, particularly on a Friday afternoon and I think we owe it to everyone involved to delay a decision while we find out more.”

Despite this, Cllr Hornby — along with every member of the committee — voted in favour of the plans, which means the new building can now be created.

The new condition imposed by officers means that as soon as the new development is finished and is in use, the current mosque — which is housed in a Victorian school building — must be demolished.

The total footprint of the new scheme will cover 5.895 sq m, compared to the 2.680 sq m taken up by the existing mosque plot. A spokesman for the developer said the new mosque will “provide much needed prayer and other facilities for women and children as well as to cater for the wider local community irrespective of their race, creed, colour gender and religion.”