Popular mosque is to double in size

A popular Wardleworth mosque has received the go-ahead to almost double in size.

Leaders at the Jalalia Jaame Mosque in Nile Street are celebrating after their application to build a first and second floor extension was approved by the Rochdale Township Planning Sub-Committee.

This was despite a recommendation to refuse the application because of some concerns over parking problems in the area.

Leaders will now have to find around £200,000 for the extension, which would see the £1M mosque's floor space increase in size from 836sqm to 1,586sqm.

They plan to host fund-raising events and hold collections to fund the work.

Shaukat Ali, who spoke on behalf of the Jalalia Jaame Mosque, said after the meeting: "We are very happy and gobsmacked that the application has been approved.

"The whole community is overjoyed.

"But now money needs to be regenerated with special events.

"We will have to find the money ourselves and we will have to start fund-raising now."

Mr Ali said the extension would enable them to provide separate teaching sessions for men and women for the first time.

He said they expect people to be dropped off in cars and picked up later and they would remind parents to pick up their children on time.

Mr Ali explained that attending the mosque helps to keep young people engaged and out of trouble.

Ward councillor Sultan Ali, who attended the meeting to speak in support of the application, said: "I think that this would be an iconic building rising above poor housing in the surrounding area.

"I have not had a single complaint about traffic in the area since I was elected last May."

Planning committee members Coun Liz Thirsk and Coun Mohammad Sharif said traffic calming measures should be considered for the area instead of refusing the application.

But Coun Tom Bailey said: "I'm seriously worried about parking around there, especially if tempers get thin."

The decision to approve the application was moved by Coun Sharif and seconded by Coun Shah Wazir.

Six councillors voted in favour and two abstained.