00:00As communities grow and change, demand for places of worship can grow with them.
00:05But in built-up residential areas, finding room for bigger facilities is rarely straightforward
00:11because more space for worshippers can also mean more pressure on traffic, parking and nearby homes.
00:17That is the issue now facing Tividal Mosque in Gate Street,
00:21where plans have been submitted for a major expansion of the existing site.
00:25The mosque wants to build a two-storey extension, including a dome and minarets,
00:31while the neighbouring former Burnt Tree Methodist Church, which had been converted into offices,
00:37would be demolished to make way.
00:39If approved, the development would more than triple the mosque's floor space, taking it to 1,280 square metres.
00:47Sandwell Council planners are recommending refusal.
00:50Their report says a building of that size would normally require more than 230 parking spaces,
00:57but the application includes just 15.
01:01The mosque says its congregation would not increase if the extension went ahead,
01:05and that most worshippers would attend the place of worship on foot.
01:10Officers, however, say the extra floor space still raises concerns about significant increases in worshippers,
01:16with parking potentially displaced on two surrounding residential streets.
01:21They warned that could cause congestion and nuisance for people living nearby.
01:26A final decision is due on June the 10th.
Comments