Dudley mosque extension granted approval
A Black Country mosque has been told it can go ahead with its extension plans.
Queen's Cross Mosque and Community Centre in Dudley has been granted permission to build a two-storey rear at the rear.
The proposed extension will create a third prayer room, and extra meeting space.
The building, on the corner of Queen's Cross and Aston Road, had previously been used as a clothing factory, and is thought to date back to the early 20th century.
Planning officer Samuel Everton said a single, anonymous objection had been received from a nearby occupier, expressing concerns about parking.
The plans include three extra car parking spaces at the rear, and Mr Everton said highway engineers raised no cpmcerms.
The scheme will see a disused single-storey workshop at the back of the building converted to a meeting room, with a second storey being added above it to create an extra prayer room.
Mr Everton said building was surrounded by houses to the side and rear, with commercial use, including a gym opposite.
He said the buildings were of little architectural merit, having been subject to modifications and alterations over the years. The mosque said it was not anticipating a rise in visitor numbers, but rather wanted to provide additional facilities and prayer space to existing users.
Primarily the proposed development would accommodate religious educational classes between the hours of 16.30 and - 18.30 on weekdays only," said Mr Everton.
"It is not expected that trip generation will intensify as a result of the development."
.
