Mosque expansion plans put forward in Darlaston

The Muslim Welfare Society has put forward proposals to Walsall Council to extend Masjid-e-Umar on Bills Street and provide increased spaces for activities.

Representatives for the charity said the existing building was no longer fit for purpose, adding that a refurbishment is not likely to lead to a large increase in users.

As well as extending the building, the plans will see the height of the property increased to provide roof space and two new minarets built on the front. It will also feature two new main entrances fronting Bills Street and away from other residential properties.

Agents Catalyst Design Ltd said: “The existing building is no longer adequate for the society to provide the services that they would like.

“Some of the issues with the present building are no separate facilities for children giving difficulty in safeguarding when classes are held, and when the mosque prayer halls are in use.

“There is only a single staircase which limits the use of the upper floor and no lift for disabled access.

“The access for women and girls is limited without separate toilet and ablution facilities. Currently areas have to be screened off with temporary partitions which is not ideal. The number of teaching spaces is not adequate for the education classes which have to be held in shared prayer rooms.

“There is no multi-purpose space for youth, space for recreational activities or provision for women or elderly people. The external appearance of the building is now tired and dated and in need of remodelling to better identify its central role in the community.

“The existing building has a flat roof with a parapet which has been problematic over the years and is expensive to maintain. It Is intended to make better use of the new roof space as a youth/meeting room and also some much-needed storage.”

They added: “Generally, the number of people that use the building on a daily basis will not greatly increase with the exception of the proposed much improved facilities for woman and people with disabilities.

“The larger floor area will allow activities to take place without having to overlap into the prayer areas. The society will continue to offer the existing services with the five daily prayer from dawn to the night time prayer. The times vary due to the sun rise and sun set in summer and winter.

“The dawn prayer is attended by a small number of people. The main prayer will continue as present after midday on Friday.

“The improved facilities may encourage woman to attend but overall, it is not expected that the number will increase greatly from the present total.

“The larger area will allow activities to be provided for the elderly during the daytime and for the women classes and indoor recreational facilities.

“Apart from the civil marriage ceremony which is currently held in the existing building, large wedding receptions are held at a purpose-built venues outside the mosque.

“The other busy times are the month of Ramadan which will continue as there are at present and the early morning prayers for ‘Eid’ held on two days in the year.

“The main purpose of the proposed extension is to provide separate spaces for the activities of the society.”