A derelict piece of land used as a ‘dumping ground’ can now be turned into ‘a statement piece of architecture’ for 7,500 members of a Muslim group in the United Kingdom.
Councillors have granted planning permission for the new Islamic religious education and worship centre on the outskirts of Blackburn town centre.
The Bayt Muhammad Academy’s new two-storey seminary and prayer hall will cater for followers of the Shafi’i Madhab of the Muslim community.
It will be built on a piece of vacant land on the corner of Eleanor Street and Higher Audley Street.
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Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee approved the scheme with 26 conditions, and a payment of £40,000 for a new pedestrian/cycle crossing across Higher Audley Street.
The proposed building would be the first such institution in the borough dedicated to serving the 7,500-strong Shafi’i Madhab community.
Planning committee chair, Dave Smith said: “This is a piece of land that has been derelict and used as a dumping ground for years. It will be good to see it redeveloped.”
The approved scheme involves the construction of a new two-storey religious education seminary for up to 150 students and 11 staff members.
A new ramped access point would be formed from Eleanor Street together with an undercroft parking area.
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