Plans to upgrade Walsall mosque get the go ahead

The application, by Shah Jalal Masjid & Madrassah, will see the existing mosque and school on 32-33 Mount Street pulled down and a similar-sized development take its place.

A new on-site car park for 12 spaces will also be constructed as part of the scheme.

Representatives for the applicants said the current facilities were out-dated and not adequate for the mosque users.

The capacity of the new mosque is 460 people, which is not an increase on the current use, and will be open for worship at six different times throughout the day.

Capacity for the education centre will be a maximum of 120 students aged 11 to 16, with the school open from 5pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.

Agent Mohammed Zulfiqar said: “The application site is to be used by the client Shah Jalal Masjid & Madrassah for the purpose of a replacement mosque.

“The current building is not adequate and lacks modern facilities and therefore, the client plans to rebuild a purpose built new mosque facility.

“The main purpose of a new mosque and education centre is to provide modern facilities which encompass the socio-cultural needs of the local community such as a dedicated prayer facility for women which does not exist in the current property.

“The proposed site shall also provide additional parking spaces in the form of an on-site car park.

“There shall be no change to the congregation and the proposed facility will host the same attendance figures as existing.

“The existing prayer area measures approximately 210m² and the proposed prayer shall measure 226m² which is slightly higher. The first floor ladies prayer area measures 165m².

“There are three existing mosques in the vicinity of the site, which allows for reduction of congregation at any one place.

"The education element shall comprise of separate classrooms for boys and girls which shall function the same way in the proposed facility.”