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Mosque seeks to double size
Topic Started: Dec 9 2010, 08:43 PM (121 Views)
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Mosque seeks to double size

PLANS to double the size of Yeovil's mosque to accommodate a growing Muslim population have hit opposition from the town council.

The five-year-old mosque on Westminster Street is already full on occasions and, according to the architect, the Muslim population in the Yeovil area could double within ten years.

Plans for an expanded mosque have been submitted to South Somerset District Council for approval. They include an extension of the first-floor mosque over its car park off Clarence Street, as well as the addition of a decorative facade and a 12 metre-high minaret.

The building already has three domes or "lanterns" which would be moved on to the new building.

The mosque is between the Westminster pub and the United Reform Church and is in a conservation area.

As well as increasing the size of the prayer area and introducing a segregated area for women to worship, the plans include an additional flat offering accommodation at the mosque.

Plans to create a religious meeting room at the site sparked fierce debate in Yeovil seven years ago.

Further controversy arose when plans were put forward in 2005 to extend the meeting room and create a mosque. The plans were approved.

Mike Rowlinson, of James Ewart Fox architects in Yeovil, is acting as agent for the applicant, Erol Sen of Mudford Road. Mr Rowlinson also drew up plans for the original meeting room and mosque and said he hoped the plans would be more readily accepted this time round.

He said the mosque was likely to be funded through philanthropic donations, although the flats may be used to bring in some income to cover the costs.

Mr Rowlinson said plans for new mosque were in response to a growing Muslim population in the Yeovil area.

In particular, he said, there is a growing Turkish population of around 160 people. He said one aim of the expansion is to bring a Turkish speaking Imam to the mosque.

It will also provide an area for women to worship separately. At the moment, women are unable to use the mosque as there is no separate area for them, Mr Rowlinson said.

Mr Rowlinson said earlier applications for the site had attracted "racist" opposition.

He said: "I think the Muslim community is more accepted now. I don't think the objections will be as vociferous as before."

Mr Rowlinson said he had consulted South Somerset District Council's conservation officer while drawing up the plans, to ensure they were sympathetic to the conservation area.

He said he was dismayed but not surprised the plans had been recommended for refusal by Yeovil Town Council.

Members of the town council's planning committee said the proposal was an "over development" of the site and provided inadequate car parking, when they considered the plans on Monday.

They also thought the planned mosque would be out of keeping with the conservation area in that part of the town centre and said it would have an adverse impact of the setting of the neighbouring United Reform Church, which is listed.

The planning application will be decided by South Somerset District Council.

link

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Mosque-seeks-double-size/article-2986060-detail/article.html
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They pick their sites well, don't they?

Drop this into Google Earth and you'll see how cramped the existing site is:
50°56'30.46"N 2°38'5.21"W

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Beautiful, picturesque Yeovil - bites the dust.
(looks for pillow to scream into)
12 metre-high minaret. :'(

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It certainly is cramped. :O
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