Plans to knock down and rebuild Smethwick mosque given the green light
Plans to demolish and replace a Smethwick mosque at 'the heart of the local community' have been approved – despite fears over traffic.
The Jami Masjid and Bangladeshi Islamic Centre has been given the green light to tear down its existing building to make way for a three-stage expansion.
The revised plans will create a larger two-storey building with a dome and minaret.
A previous application for three floors was withdrawn after residents complained it would dominate the surrounding area.
But the new plans drew claims the proposed mosque on Lewisham Road would cause parking problems and create noise pollution from prayer meetings.
An agent for the centre told Sandwell planning committee that the previous plans were 'undeliverable' but the new proposal reduced costs and lowered the height of the proposed building.
Explaining it would be completed in three stages, he added: "This is a facility that has flourished for 35 years and has become the heart of the community."
Opportunity
Addressing fears over traffic he added: "Much discussion has been made and had in terms of parking in peak times and we see this as an opportunity to reign in the uses and put in control measures."
Councillor Peter Allen, suggesting controls be imposed on traffic before the building was allowed to open, asked: "Can we have built into conditions that at end of phase one or two or before the commencement, so there's a clarity to when they become active?"
In answer to questions of where the majority of worshippers lived Mr Abdul Subhan said the majority are from the local area and didn't need to use cars.
He added: "If we can manage the traffic then I think we will be fine because there a lot spaces around the [local] roads that are vacant on Fridays."
"We are definitely committed to not disturbing the neighbours and there are no traffic problems."
Council officers also recommended prohibiting the use of outdoor amplifiers to prevent noise pollution.
Councillors voted unanimously to grant permission and the new mosque is expected to take 15 to 18 months to be completed.
