Consent sought for mosque in house

Up to 25 people gather to pray in the living room of 108 Park Grove, close to the Jame Masjid and Madrasah at Pearson Park. The worshippers are understood to be a breakaway faction from the main mosque.

Applications to continue using the house as a place of worship have been twice refused by Hull Council's planning committee. It is understood the property has had minor alterations.

Enforcement action by the council has been suspended pending the outcome of a third planning application.

Ward councillors say residents' main concern has been parking.

Coun John Fareham, who formerly chaired the council's planning committee, said homes should not be used for "wholly inappropriate" purposes. He said: "This started when I was chairman. I took the view that the law must be enforced. All groups and faiths and people of no groups or faiths are equal before the law.

"It really is time that instead of looking at using houses for wholly inappropriate uses people go and look for suitable sites and build a purpose-built mosque."