Published in the Glasgow Evening Times, 23/07/18
A GLASGOW Mosque has submitted plans for an extension which they say is part of a significant refurbishment to bring the building into the modern age for those who use the facility.
Masjid Noor, which is in Pollokshields’ Forth Street, have asked Glasgow City Council for permission to build a two store extension to the front, side and rear of the mosque.
The proposal, which was submitted this week, also includes associated car parking and landscaping works.
The latest proposal comes after permission was previously granted for an extension to the mosque in 2009. Preparatory work began once the project was given the green light but Masjid Noor said a review of these works brought around the fresh proposal which is now of a scale and quality that the site and locale deserves.
Masjid Noor, which has already had pre-planning application discussions with the local authority, purchased the building in 1979.
A planning statement said: “Given the inefficient layout of the existing building, its state of disrepair and changing needs of the congregation, a need has arisen for a properly constructed larger mosque.
“The Mosque offers a range of community based ancillary facilities which are common for religious institutions, including teenager education facilities, elderly day care facilities etc. Sadly, the existing building does not allow for this to be to a standard that meets community needs and the applicant is keen to service this.
“As a long standing community facility in Pollokshields, the applicant appreciates the importance of being a good neighbour, and should consent be granted for the proposed development they would look to maintain this relationship with not only its service users, but the wider community.”
The proposed development, if approved, would allow the Mosque to refurbish an existing building as well as create an extension.
It is proposed that the front of the building will be realigned with the current main entrance. The building overall will undergo internal alterations to provide classrooms and offices. A new female prayer hall is also to be created under the plans.
The planning statement added: “There is a clear intent on the part of the applicant to extend and deliver a community use which has longevity and is an attractive place in which to not only worship, but to learn and socialise.
“The applicant is engrained into the fabric of Pollokshields and have shown since they opened to be professional in their running of the mosque. The proposed development represents an opportunity to deliver significant investment into the building to bring it into the modern age for its users.”
