Anger as protests fail to halt mosque being doubled in size

Controversial plans to double the size of a mosque in a public park have been approved, despite last-ditch pleas from neighbours.

Councillors voted unanimously to extend the mosque at 20 Pearson Park, following a heated debate at the city’s Guildhall.

The plans sparked a protest by the BNP and counter demonstration by Unite Against Fascism in December and yesterday’s meeting was interrupted when activists walked out, threatening further demonstrations.

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The Friends of Pearson Park and the Avenues and Pearson Park Residents’ Association objected to the plans, which they said were not in keeping with Hull’s oldest park.

Dr Harris Livas-Dawes, chair of the Friends’ association, said Zachariah Pearson, the Victorian benefactor who donated the land to the people of Hull, had wanted wealthy merchants to live in elegant villas round the park.

She said: “It’s clearly not in keeping with the conservation area, you only have to look at the houses round the park and you will see this is true.

“The materials that have been suggested are not in keeping with the conservation area, and will completely detract, not just from neighbouring houses, but round the park.”

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And neighbour Clare Gurnell, who moved in next door just a year ago, said they were unable to enjoy their garden due to the large number of men gathering at the gates. Cutting through shared floors – the mosque is making the original building three-storey as part of the plans – would cause “endless complications and damage.”

She said: “It will be the ruination of a Victorian villa which has been lovingly restored on one side.”

However other residents who attend the mosque said they felt it was unfair that they had to pray outside because of lack of space.

The original application was turned down on grounds of poor design in December but councillors yesterday said they had been impressed by changes made since then.

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Coun Tom McVie, the first to speak, moved refusal last time, but said he was moving approval because as well as being “oases of tranquillity parks could also be the noisiest and most exciting places to be.”

He added: “It’s perfectly clear looking at the drawings following this four-month period that the applicants have taken on board everything we have said.

“It’s a modern, attractive piece of architecture and I personally rather like it.”

Coun Helen O’Mullane went one step further suggesting that one day it would actually attract visitors. She said: “I am very impressed by the new plans. I hope it will be something people come to the park to look at.”

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However as she spoke around half a dozen people got to their feet and walked out, one shouting: “We will protest, we aren’t finished, you haven’t listened to any of the residents around there.”

Secretary of the mosque, Bulbul Miah, said the new neighbours had only been there a year – as opposed to the mosque’s 20.

He said 3,000 leaflets which had been distributed throughout the Avenue ward had sparked the BNP protest and despite an open invitation to people to come and visit the mosque it had only had one visitor.

Around 170 to 180 people were attending Friday prayers and he expected that figure to go up to 350 people when the extension, costing a six-figure sum, opened.

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He said: “We have been here 20 years, we had good relations with the previous neighbours.”

Repeating his previous invitation, he said: “I welcome everyone to come and see it. The mosque is not a closed place, make an appointment and we are happy to see you.”

Councillors approved the plans with nine conditions including prayers not being allowed on the roof terrace. There will also be no overnight use, a sound attenuation scheme installed and restrictions on hours of development.

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