A NEW £1 million mosque can be built in York after council officials approved revised plans.


City of York Council has granted planning permission for a larger building on the site of the current one in Bull Lane, off Hull Road.

York Mosque and Islamic Centre originally applied for planning permission last year, but withdrew its plans following concerns from the Environment Agency about potential flooding.

The centre submitted new plans in June, and the Environment Agency said they were better, as reported in The Press this week.

Officials at the centre said the current mosque had been used for more than 25 years, but was now too small.

Planning officer Jonathan Kenyon said the proposed building “reasonably respects” its surroundings and would not increase flooding risks, and said proposed landscaping around it could improve bio-diversity in the area. He said the building was open throughout the day for prayer, typically drawing ten to 20 people for lunchtime and evening prayers and about 250 to 300 on Fridays.

The car park is likely to be increased from 30 to 38 spaces, with 20 bike spaces, and Mr Kenyon said: "Overall, the development has a significant number of benefits and complies with planning policy."


Coun Sonja Crisp, the council's cabinet member for culture, said York had a strong and growing Muslim community and welcomed the decision.