Former clubhouse could be turned into mosque

The pavilion was currently "unused", planning documents said

Plans to turn a former clubhouse in Leicester into a mosque are set to be decided next week.

Leicester City Council's planning committee is recommended by officers to approve the proposals on 29 October to convert the former Old Aylestonians Rugby Football Club clubhouse in Knighton Lane East into a place of worship.

According to planning documents, the club last played a game in 2017 and had since folded, with the pavilion currently "unused".

Documents submitted by the applicant state the proposed mosque would have dedicated family as well as women's sections and would aim to gather people in a "peaceful spiritual environment".

Plans add the proposed mosque would be able to accommodate up to about 250 people at peak times, which is expected to be on a Friday afternoon.

Planning documents said 11.3% of residents within a 1km (0.62-mile) radius of the site were Muslims, and the proposed mosque would be "suitably located" to serve the local population.

A report prepared for the committee states there was "no intention" for an externally amplified call to prayer, and planning officers had proposed a condition that no formally scheduled events could take place outside the building.

Council officers had also proposed a condition that the site could only be used between 07:00 and 23:00, with opening hours extended to 00:30 during Ramadan.